Church Begins Work on New Recreational Facility in Temple View, Hamilton

A property on the outskirts of Hamilton New Zealand owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be developed into a recreational facility for youth and families, the Church announced today.

The recreational facility will serve local Latter-day Saints, and their guests, as well as people from across New Zealand.  

Approximately 16 hectares, known by locals as “Hamon’s Bush,” will be renamed Tuhikaramea Camp and be developed by the Church over the next few years.  

Up to 400 people will be able to stay at the facility once it is completed.  12 cabins will be built, each one accommodating up to ten people.  Areas for tents, or “tent pads,” will accommodate up to 280 people. 

Tens of thousands of trees will be planted.  The facility will include two large pavilions, two amphitheatres, a sports field and campfire gathering areas.  Cooking facilities, showers and toilet facilities will also be available.  Two ponds on the east side of the property will be cleaned and developed for possible recreational use.

With beautiful views of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, the site of the future camping grounds is located within walking distance of the temple.  A pathway will be created leading from the campsite to the temple grounds.    

Multiple service projects will give Church and community groups many opportunities to help develop the camp.  Youth and other volunteers will be invited to plant trees, maintain trails, paint buildings and participate in other projects.  
 
“These service projects will encourage care of the facilities, strengthening the character of our youth and their love for the area,” said Church leader, Elder David Thomson.

“We are delighted and grateful that our friends from the Nga Uri a Maahanga iwi have offered to assist us in the project,” he said.

“We expect there to be a very high demand with our stakes and wards (congregations) wanting to use the facilities for camps and youth conferences,” he added.  “It will be a wonderful place to socialize, enjoy nature, and it is only a few minutes to the temple.”

For many years local resident Roger Hamon has been maintaining the Hamon’s Bush area on behalf of the Church.  “Roger Hamon and those who have helped him have worked tirelessly to keep the area clean and beautiful,” Elder Thomson said.  “Their humble, faithful contributions over the years mean that we now have a place that, with some enhancement, will be a blessing to thousands of young people, and families.”

“Latter-day Saints in New Zealand have been building faith in Jesus Christ for over 150 years,” he said. “This facility and other developments in Temple View are continuing that tradition.”

“As we have been planning with the community and others, there has been a strong desire to look to the past with gratitude and respect, and also look to the needs of current and future generations.”  

Elder Thomson said that motivating all the Church is doing in Temple View is a desire to protect and enhance the immediate environment around the temple.  “The temple is a holy place, and we want to ensure that Temple View always remains a beautiful, vibrant community.”

Waipa District Council and Waikato Regional Council approved the Church’s resource consent application last month.  A ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of the project will be held today (Monday, 4 November).