The multi-million dollar construction of the Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre

When PGC Constructors was initially engaged, the Mitre 10 Sports Park in Hastings was well-established as a regional hub of athletics, fitness, and sport. Its offerings comprised a hefty list, including a world-class athletics facility with a 2,500-seat grandstand, a fitness facility, seven full-sized sports fields, a hockey stadium, a netball centre, and a canoe polo centre. The Regional Aquatic Centre would be the latest addition, backed by $32 million of government funding.

The brief was clear: deliver a world-class facility accessible to all. Partnering with Apollo Projects, responsible for the design and build, PGC delivered the carpentry for the major project. 

Established in 2020, PGC was born from demand. The industry sought a project partner with strong resources and relationships. 

Recognising the expertise and experience required, Paul Banister, a quantity surveyor with 15 years of experience across New Zealand and the Pacific, joined forces with Graham Scarfe, an established builder and business owner with over 45 years of construction experience in New Zealand and Australia to form PGC Construction.

Today, the company is a trusted partner for large commercial construction entities, working primarily across concrete works and carpentry. It's also a main contractor in its own right, delivering comprehensive residential, commercial and industrial construction services across the country. 

"We move away from an adversarial relationship with our clients and suppliers, rather becoming a partner in the process, collaborating in a true team effort to deliver projects on time, on budget and to a high standard, all while ensuring our people are kept safe, and going home to their whānau each and every day,” shares Paul Banister of PGC Constructors.

The Regional Aquatic Centre features a 50m Olympic-sized pool, a 25m learners' area with an accessible ramp, two hydrotherapy pools, and a seating capacity of over 2,500. Capable of hosting major international events, two camera platforms have been installed for media teams, along with timekeeping equipment. With sustainability in mind, the material palette is intentionally low carbon, and the centre has been fitted with high-quality insulation. 

Delivered during the tumult of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was not without its challenges, particularly around resource and material availability. To mitigate this risk, PGC utilised their strong relationships to collaborate effectively and ultimately guarantee the project’s timely success. 

Infrastructure development has a symbiotic relationship with the economy. While design and construction create jobs, there are also considerable ongoing economic and social benefits. 

"Projects of this stature are of the utmost importance to regions. This is evident through the increase of use of the wider facility to 320,000 users annually,” shares Paul. 

"Continued investment in our region is especially critical as we look to help our community recover from the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. At PGC, we love being involved in a project that improves outcomes for members of our community,” Paul adds.

With a particular interest in community-focused projects, PGC Constructors has recently completed the Kiwa Pools Aquatic Centre in Gisborne in partnership with Apollo Projects. Once again, the project was delivered to an incredibly high standard, on budget. Despite Covid-19, cyclones, and other tumultuous weather events, it was completed only five months behind the initial schedule set in 2020. "The Kiwa Pools facility is truly an incredible community asset for the people of Tairawhiti."

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