TECT Arena debuts to a packed out crowd | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

The new TECT arena at Baypark was packed to the brim as more than 6000 people celebrated the opening of the eighth annual New Zealand Community Trust AIMS Games last night.

For most people it was the first time inside the new arena, which will be officially opened to the public on Saturday.

The opening of the AIMS Games tournament was attended by local dignitaries as well as the 4600 intermediate-aged athletes, 900 coaches and managers as well as parents, supporters and organisers of the largest school-aged tournament in New Zealand.

It was estimated by event organisers that about 6000 people had packed into the new arena.

Sport Bay of Plenty CEO Wayne Werder said the new arena was fantastic and it was exciting to see so many people in the new facility.

"This project has been on the board for 20-30 years, long before I became involved, and it's just fantastic for Tauranga," he said. "And it couldn't be launched in a more suitable way, with the opening of the AIMS Games tournament, which celebrates young people being involved in sport.

"But not only for this tournament, this arena will cater for people of all ages in many sporting codes, and it will attract more professional sports to the region."

Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby said the facility would certainly allow more opportunity and attract larger events to Tauranga.

"First and fundamentally this was built for community sport and recreation and everyone will benefit from this, especially locals. The AIMS Games is one of the largest events in Australasia and having this facility means [the Games] will only get bigger and better from here on," the mayor said.

National MP Simon Bridges also had good things to say about the arena.

"This is really exciting. It's the first time I've been in here when it's been filled with people and the atmosphere is just amazing," Mr Bridges said.

"Tauranga City Council did a good job of backing this project because [this facility] will do amazing things for this tournament and it will have a very significant economic value for the city."

The TECT arena will host the AIMS Games basketball tournament.

The tournament began yesterday with the cross country event at Waipuna Park.

See the photo gallery of the AIMS Games opening ceremony here.