Brand-new high-power turf lights have been unveiled at Fiordland College's Multisport Turf, allowing students and community sports clubs to play outdoors all year round.

The lights cost about $60,000 and were initially meant to be installed when the turf was re-surfaced in 2018, but timing and funding constraints delayed the project. 

The $100,000 renovation of the college’s former asphalt netball and tennis courts was a joint effort between Fiordland College and Te Anau’s local tennis and hockey groups. 

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Now the lights are up the community can play hockey, tennis, football and netball during the winter when days are much shorter.

Fiordland Hockey Club member Anna Kempthorne said the multisport turf was a significant asset for the growing community in the Te Anau Basin.

The lights also opened up more options for coaching, social games and tournaments in winter, she said. 

Fiordland College's multisport turf is now under lights. PHOTO: supplied

"It will be quite exciting to see how the turf is used next winter and who comes out of the woodwork to play," she said. 

The lights can be turned on between 7am and 9.30pm. 

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Mrs Kempthorn said about 50 people came to see the unveiling of the new lights on Sunday (September 20), including sponsors, racket and hockey club members and Fiordland College representatives.

The Fiordland Racquets Club and the Fiordland Hockey Club celebrated by playing a social game of hockey under bright lights.

Mrs Kempthorn said after so long, it was just great to have the new lights going.

It would not have been possible without support from Meridian Energy's Manapouri Power Up Fund, Community Trust Southland, the Kepler Challenge and the Mountain Run Trust Community Fund, she said.