Article written by: Mitchell Alley – Project Delivery Manager
Vitruvius has been actively involved in the Links Avenue Reserve upgrade for the past 18 months, delivering civil and earthworks design for a new FIFA-grade artificial football pitch, along with significant stormwater and wastewater upgrades. Now in the construction phase, we are providing MSQA and Engineer’s Representative services on-site in collaboration with Octa.
Working closely with HEB, all teams are focused on delivering a high-quality facility that will benefit both the project and the wider community. Since Stage 2 works commenced in January 2025, major progress has been made, with large sections of the site opened up and advancing well in preparation for the winter months. Key milestones are being ticked off to keep momentum going before the more challenging weather sets in.
The field is now largely stripped and ready for backfilling, forming the foundation for the new pitch. This requires over 2,000m of Megaflo stormwater drainage to prevent waterlogging. These works integrate into a significant upgrade of stormwater and wastewater assets, including a soakage system beneath the car park to manage increased runoff. In the coming weeks, car park construction will begin, keeping the project on track for completion in the final quarter of the year.
With the new football season fast approaching, it’s great to see this long-planned upgrade taking shape. Once complete, Links Avenue Reserve will no doubt be securing the spot of the premier football hub for the Bay of Plenty region. Through strong collaboration and expert delivery, this project is set to make a lasting impact on local football.
Project: Links Avenue Upgrade
Client: Tauranga City Council
When: 2024 – ongoing
Vitruvius Scope: Civil Engineering Design, Project Management, Survey, Transport Engineering