A home for hockey fans

A building planned for  Cromwell’s hockey turf promises spectators shelter from the cold.

Construction began yesterday  on the $1million building at the Pioneer Energy Turf in Cromwell.

Central Otago Sports Turf Trust chairman Michael Paardekooper  said the building was "on track" to be finished by  March.

It would contain showers, a meeting room, changing rooms, a kitchen, and a "warm place to sit down" and watch hockey, he said.

"We’ve seen such a growth in hockey that we were determined to have a building where you could watch big games.

"Before we just had two dugouts.

"Now we’ll actually have a purpose-built amenities building."

In April, the   $700,000 water-based turf was opened.

The trust is discussing with   New Zealand Hockey holding two international  matches featuring the Black Sticks Women at the turf at the end of March.

Money for the building was raised from the Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, the Cromwell Community Board and about 10 other organisations.