CLAUDELANDS DELIGHT

This exciting community project will bring a little imagination and adventure to Claudelands, creating a unique experience for Hamiltonians and visitors alike. The proposed land-based passenger train will give children the thrill of climbing aboard and setting off on a journey, while parents and grandparents get to share in the excitement and create memories of their own. Operated with the support of dedicated Lions volunteers, the project is about far more than simply providing a ride, it is about bringing families together, creating laughter, supporting community spirit and adding something genuinely special to Hamilton. Te Awamutu Lions, together with Architectural DESIGN Ltd and other future project partners, are proud to be contributing their time and expertise towards creating an attraction that we hope will bring smiles to children's faces for many years to come.

FLOOR PLAN

THE BACK STORY

The architectural character of the proposed station building has taken inspiration from the nearby grandstand, helping to establish a visual connection with the wider Claudelands environment. In particular, the considered use of soft yellow timber bevel-back weatherboards, crisp white trims and green corrugated iron roofing reflects the colour palette and traditional material character identified as part of the initial project brief. The intention is not to replicate the grandstand, but to draw inspiration from its familiar architectural language and create a small building that feels appropriate within its surroundings.

The decorative fretwork traditionally found at the tops of the grandstand columns has also been reinterpreted within the proposed design. This detail is echoed through the covered passenger platform — or station canopy — where the fretwork forms a distinctive elliptical shape. This architectural motif is then repeated above the large roller doors to the train garage, creating a visual connection between the different parts of the building and giving the overall design its own recognisable identity. The garage doors themselves have been intentionally designed at approximately 2.6 metres high — larger than is technically required for the miniature train they will house. This is a deliberate piece of architectural theatre. Their increased height and scale help suggest that something much larger may be waiting behind them, creating a sense of anticipation and giving the impression that a substantial train is about to emerge. In reality, the vehicle is a much more modest two-metre-high passenger attraction — but the building helps tell the story and adds to the sense of excitement and imagination that the experience is intended to create. A further important consideration within the brief is the ability for the building to be relocated in the future if required. This has been considered from the outset in developing the proposed construction approach, while still allowing the building to provide a welcoming and practical home for the train operation, ticketing and passenger experience. At this stage, the project remains in the conceptual design phase, and the proposal is being developed to encourage discussion and seek valuable feedback from stakeholders before the design progresses further.