Glenview club welcomes motor homes for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Hamilton

It’s not the usual, but Glenview Club president Richard Taplin already has 15 motor homes pencilled in for overnight stays during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Glenview Club is ready and waiting for 2011 Rugby World Cup fans.

After six months of council processes the Hamilton club looks set to accommodate up to 300 motor homes from September 9 to October 23.

Richard Taplin with one of the motor homes on site.
Richard Taplin with one of the motor homes on site.

Without knowing it the club has been illegally hosting motor homes for more than two years.

President of the club Richard Taplin said they had no idea it was illegal until they applied to be recognised as a motor home site for the RWC.

Once notified in December of last year Mr Taplin immediately started the consent process with Hamilton City Council to become a legal motor home park.

The club has been given the green light by a council camping ground health inspector on the Rugby World Cup Committee in terms of facilities being up to scratch so now all there is left to do is wait for final approval.

The consent process cost $7000 but Mr Taplin is confident all the time and money will be worth it come World Cup time.

“I’m aiming for the club to become an information centre where people staying with us can find out what’s going on and make the most of Hamilton.”

There has already been steady interest in the idea with around 15 RWC bookings pencilled in.

Plans are also being made to provide catered viewing packages where fans can come to the club and watch their teams play.

“We really want to make the club a great place for people who can’t afford tickets so they can be a part of the World Cup too,” Mr Taplin said.

Richard Taplin at Glenview Club's motor home site.
Richard Taplin at Glenview Club's motor home site.

Claudeland’s Event Centre will also host motor homes.

“We have no problem with it, in fact we support it. There is no way we could handle everyone,” Mr Taplin said.

He said the World Cup campers would bring in a “nice little extra” for the club but it would also positively impact the wider community.

Cameron Old, Glenview New World store manager, said they were exploring opportunities to work with the club and provide a grocery delivery service for people staying at the club.

“The RWC motor home accommodation is something a little bit different for the area so we want to help out where we can.”