The arena and stadium at Trustpower Baypark in Mount Maunganui are buzzing as the events industry bounces back with a vengeance and thousands of people stream through the doors.
This week some of the world’s best squash players are battling it out at Trustpower Arena, with all the action taking place inside an eye-catching, purpose-built glass court.
The New Zealand Festival of Squash features two international tournaments back-to-back, with the inaugural Nations Cup from November 3-6 and the New Zealand Squash Open from November 8-13.
It is the biggest squash event ever held in Aotearoa.
There are players from 20 different countries taking part in the New Zealand Squash Open, which has a US$150,000 prize pool and is a men’s and women’s PSA World Tour Silver event.
Kiwi squash heroes Paul Coll and Joelle King have been front and centre during this sporting spectacle, giving their home crowd plenty to cheer about.
Tournament director Wayne Werder said Trustpower Arena has been “fantastic” as a venue and many of the players have been wowed by the professional set-up.
The Bay Venues facility was transformed over the course of a few days to construct a glowing glass squash court surrounded by stadium seating, with a party zone and free fan zone also on offer.
“The players and PSA (Professional Squash Association) have been really pleased with the look of the glass court and seating. Everyone from Trustpower Arena has been fantastic to work with as well,” Werder said.
He said the glass court has provided a high-quality spectator experience “and looks great on TV too”.
“I think it’s brought a new audience to the sport and made the existing audience feel good about squash, seeing our own New Zealand stars, Paul Coll and Joelle King, compete with the best.”
The New Zealand Festival of Squash is just one of several large sporting events to be held at Trustpower Baypark over the past month and, with summer fast approaching, the event schedule is only getting busier from here.
There is the Bay Circuit of Dreams speedway event on November 19, the Go Green Expo on November 19 and 20, the New Zealand Weightlifting Championships on November 25 and 26, and Polo in the Bay on November 26.
Then, in early December, there is the Battle of the Trades IV charity boxing event, as well as more summer speedway action.
“We have an exciting few months ahead of us that are absolutely jam-packed with all sorts of events,” Bay Venues chief executive Chad Hooker said.
“There is something for everyone here. There are big music festivals coming up in January, there are more Baypark Speedway race events, keep an eye on our website and come along.”
This comes off the back of a busy October, with Trustpower Arena hosting the Volleyball NZ Club Championships, the HoopNation Classic national basketball tournament, and a sold-out Constellation Cup netball match between the Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds.
Meanwhile, over at Trustpower Stadium, the 2022/23 Baypark Speedway season kicked off with the Bay Summer Starter, followed by the Bay Super Bowl and Fireworks Extravaganza last weekend.
“And it hasn’t only been sport; we’ve also had the Tauranga Home Show and, just before that, a concert by South African singer-songwriter Demi Lee Moore,” Hooker said.
“The variety of events has been brilliant and the crowds we’ve been getting have brought so much colour and atmosphere to Trustpower Baypark,” he said.
“It’s great to see so many members of our community, as well as visitors from out of town, enjoying what's on offer at our venues.”
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