The Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust have honoured one of Southlands well known community leaders over many years, Alan Dennis. By renaming the iconic ILT Stand at ILT Stadium Southland to the “Alan Dennis Stand”.

Alan Dennis who is currently the Chairman of the SILCCT and Chair of the Stadium Southland Board has been involved of building Stadium Southland since 1998. 

ILT Stadium Southland General Manager, Nigel Skelt said “Alan Dennis has put in an outstanding contribution to building of the original facility in 2000, the SIT ZeroFees Velodrome in 2006 and the rebuild in 2010. 

Skelt said “Alan simply is one-of-a-kind, a visionary leader, very community driven and focussed and extraordinary passionate.”

“As my direct boss a wonderful mentor, tough but fair, but most of all people and community driven. We have been through a hell of a lot and the name of the stand for his contribution could not be more fitting.”

“Keeping this a secret has been a nightmare, Alan is in the venue most days so trying to distract him and keeping away from the preparations has been a real challenge” Skelt said. 

The Alan Dennis Stand follows the naming of the late Ray Harper Stand and also the Sir Tim Shadbolt Stand. 

ILT CEO Chris Ramsay commented, “Alan has served the community of Invercargill for decades, through his years as a highly regarded School Principal, an Invercargill City Councillor and on countless community Boards and groups.” 

“He has been with ILT for 21 years, 18 of which have been as President. Of the thousands of initiatives, he has been involved with and driven, I know that creating a number of Invercargill education initiatives, such as Enrich@ILT, and Invercargill sport, through ILT Stadium, are two of his proudest. There could be no more fitting recognition or tribute for a man who has so selflessly given to his community.”  

Article added: Monday 15 August 2022