History
In 1996 Junior Cricket Upper Hutt (Junior Cricket) had a dream. The thriving club, with over 500 junior members at the time, decided that quality indoor cricket practice facilities were required at Trentham Memorial Park. The proposed facility was to be an asset to:
- The Upper Hutt community
- Young people and families associated with Junior Cricket
- Other sports and activities in the region
- Players using the facilities.
An enthusiastic team promoted the dream and gained the support of many individuals and organisations in the community. Financial contributions from many community funding agencies as well as individuals resulted in the centre being opened in November 2002 by the Minister of Sport. The initial ‘seeding grant’ of $100,000 from the Community Trust of Wellington was the key to the success of the project. Without this significant public initial support the project would have floundered.
Having created the Trentham Indoor Sports Centre
Junior Cricket wisely decided that an independent Trust should be established to oversee, maintain and develop the Centre while the club concentrated on running their club for junior cricketers. The result was the formation of the Trentham Sports Centre Trust that was mandated to administer and manage the Centre.
The Trentham Sports Centre Trust was established in July 2002 by Junior Cricket and operates under a trust deed which details its mandate and legal obligations. The primary mandate is to manage the operation of the Trentham Sports Centre and to promote the Centre’s use and development .
The Trust was established to free Junior Cricket from the administraion duties associated with running a major sports centre and allow the club to focus on its primary purpose; promoting junior cricket.
The Trust has fulfilled its obligation and carried out a considerable number of improvements to the Centre and its equipment. This included a 108sqm extension in 2007 to provide more storage areas and create a meeting room. A $72,000 upgrade was completed in 2012 with new turf, netting, lighting and equipment being installed. The value of the Centre has been enhanced significantly and the facility is maintained in top class condition.
Between 2016 and 2022 the Trust has undertaken the following major improvements to the Centre and equipment.
| Date | Item | Cost | Assisted by funding from |
| April 2016 | Upgrade Access control system | $5,700 | Pelorus Trust $5,000 |
| July 2019 | Replaced Centre lighting | $15,900 | Hutt Mana Charitable Trust $3,000 |
| July 2019 | Replaced top net | $10,200 | One Foundation $5,000 and Upper Hutt Cossie Club $2,000 |
| August 2020 | Replaced skylights | $18,000 | Pelorus Trust $10,000 |
| November 2021 | Replaced bowling machine | $5,850 | Pelorus Trust $4,500 |
| August 2022 | Replaced and repaired nets | $19,500 | 100% Funded by the Trust |
Ongoing co-operation with Junior Cricket
The Trust works co-operatively with Junior Cricket, the owners of the building. Junior Cricket receives concessions to use the Centre for its training and coaching programmes.
Relationship with Junior Cricket
- Community funding and support were key elements in the creation of the Centre
- Promotions emphasised the proposed Centre would be a community resource available to a wide range of sport and activity groups
- The primary role played by Junior Cricket in planning and building the Centre is acknowledged in the Trust deed as is the special relationship between the Club and the Trust.