Te Puke groups unite on $5m movement HQ

A group of organisations have come together with a dream of creating a space in Te Puke where the whole family can move together.

Te Puke Gymsport and Parkour club on Station Rd has long held hope of creating a new home, with a site in Centennial Park on its radar, but progress to date has been slow.

Now, with other organisations on board, and the concept and design of a $5 million Bay of Plenty Movement HQ at the park, a two-year plan has been formulated to secure get the building off the ground.

That plan will launch with 5 for the Future on November 1.

The launch event promises fun for the whole family, featuring live demonstrations of gymnastics, dance, parkour and more. There will be “have a go” sessions on air tracks, foam pits, trampolines and parkour and gymnastics equipment, alongside food trucks, stalls, community activities and family challenges.

The Bay of Plenty Movement HQ is a partnership between Te Puke Gymsport, Te Puke Dance Studios, The Graeme Dingle Foundation and Te Puke Junior Football Club, who will all be represented at the event.

The event will also be an opportunity to donate $5 on the day to join the Founder Donor List and go in the major prize draw.

The Bay of Plenty Movement HQ will be a multi-purpose sport, recreation, fitness and wellness hub.

“The Bay of Plenty Movement HQ is more than just a building, it’s a community vision brought to life through collaboration,” said Te Puke Gymsport general manager Erin McKenna on behalf of the organising team.

Te Puke Gymsport Club gymnasts, from left, Izzy McKenna, Isla Grylls, Kaya Gaskell and Addy Nelson. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

She stressed that the project was a collaboration.

“We don’t want people to think it’s just for the gym club.

“We’re creating a space where the whole whānau can move together, children enjoying gymnastics, parkour or dance while parents can take part in fitness or wellness sessions.

“That is our vision. People are so short on time, and not all parents want to sit and watch so there will be a chance to do something for their own health at the same time.”

McKenna anticipated adult fitness classes, Keep on your Feet classes and Tai Chi.

She said suitable buildings for such activities were in in short supply in Te Puke.

“When I started talking to people, that’s what a lot of people said – in that area there’s nothing that’s purpose built, it’s all rooms or halls so having something like this for them to use will be really good.”

When searching for a new home, the gymsport club also looked at the possibility of using other existing spaces.

“Our issue is height, so we need to be in an industrial area. Where [the proposed site] is zoned industrial and next to an industrial area so we can go 9m high – we couldn’t go that high anywhere else and we don’t want trampolinists hitting the roof.”

Te Puke Junior football club has pitches at the park, but no other facilities for example toilets or somewhere to store gear which the new building would provide.

“They could use the community room as a sort of club room.”

The Graeme Dingle Foundation is keen to have office space in the new building.

“They are also looking at having a hang-out space for kids and also a music room and an art room – space where kids can come and do art and a space where kids can come and make music.”

The facility is also likely to have a weights room that could be used by the foundation.

McKenna said the new building would just add to the sports facilities in the immediate area.

“We’ve got soccer, tennis, rugby and cricket so schools will be able to come down and spend the day and get all these sports – that’s my vision for what’s there.”

At the event on November 1 there will be a display with information about the Bay of Plenty Movement HQ.

“The faster we can get the money together the faster it will be built. It’s exciting – really exciting.”

Hanging out for a new facility are Te Puke Gymsport Club members, from left, Addy Nelson, Cillian Hoffman, Sam Bainbridge, Kayla Gaskell, Isla Grylls, Izzy McKenna. Phot / Stuart Whitaker

McKenna said the indicators were that a project of this type could attract $3m from funding providers and she hopes the community getting behind the plan to raise the other $2m will demonstrate to those providers there is support for the project.

Details:

● Date: November 1, 2025

● Time: 1pm-5.30pm

● Location: Te Puke Gymsport, 27 Station Rd, Te Puke

● Activities: Live demos, “have-a-go” sessions, food trucks and stalls, family-friendly fun

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