UCOL has confirmed its commitment to Feilding and Manfeild Park as the venue for its high profile and very popular Motorsport programmes.

UCOL has just signed a formal agreement with the Manfeild Park Trust to lease the I A and P Hall building in the Manfeild complex.

Dean of Trades and Technology Kelly Gay says the hall will be renovated, with purpose built facilities for students on UCOL's two Motorsport certificate programmes. "Our Motorsport programme has proven to be very successful and we have rapidly outgrown our present facilities on South Street. We expect student numbers to grow so we are future-proofing the quality of the programme by developing innovative new facilities in the I A and P Hall.

"We had always sought to be located on Manfeild, to be as close as possible to the action, and we are very pleased to be making that happen. I am confident that this will provide the best possible experience for our students and expose them to genuine New Zealand motorsports."

He says renovations to the hall will start shortly and the new faculties should be available for use by students in time for next year's Motorsport programme intake.

Kelly says the new lease arrangement is also a gain for the Feilding community. "It extends the existing ties between UCOL, Manfeild Park and the community. As well as bringing young people into Feilding, the Motorsport programmes have a great capacity to involve the community - and help raise Feilding's profile.

"Since we introduced the programme three years ago there have been plenty of opportunities for students and staff to contribute to the community. This includes our sponsorship of the Minimoto Secondary Schools Grand Prix, the availability for use and sale of the cars (Toyota Starlets and Celicas) rebuilt by our students, and even the success of our float in the Feilding Christmas Parade.

"Those rebuilt cars have also featured on TV3, being driven around Feilding."

Manfeild Chief Executive Heather Verry says it is great news that UCOL has signed the lease for the hall. "The Trust is charged with ensuring that Manfeild Park is sustainable and self-sufficient. The hall has no commercial value in its current state. The planned renovations by UCOL will mean it will again become an asset to the community."

Heather Verry says the presence of the Motorsport programmes will bring further vibrancy to the complex, as well as helping to attract events. "A tenant like UCOL, with its emphasis on youth, learning and motorsport, and close links with the community, is a perfect fit with Feilding," she says.

"The success of the Motorsport programme has already had a very positive effect on the profile of Feilding and Manfeild Park."