Auckland's stadium woes: Secret council presentation paints grim picture of stadium network
Monday, 4 March 2019
A confidential presentation to Auckland councillors highlights multiple issues with the region's stadium stock, while outlining financial and reputational risks to Auckland Council and Regional Facilities Auckland.
Maintaining the status quo when it comes to Auckland's major sports grounds would commit the council to a capital spend of more than $600 million over the next 20 years versus just over $300m if it implements a new venue development strategy, the document shows.
Councillors were shown the presentation behind closed doors in February.
It showed the region's venue problems stretch beyond Eden Park and Western Springs, with the likes of Mt Smart Stadium and QBE Stadium in need of substantial upgrades.
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Auckland councillors are set to make at least one key stadium decision in the first half of 2019. Another vote on whether to move speedway from Western Springs – opening up the ground for international cricket – is likely be held in the coming months.
A 'current state' section in RFA's presentation paints a grim picture of the region's stadium network – stating Auckland has too many grounds, its stadiums are crippled by access and planning issues, are nearing the end of their useful life and have safety and security issues.
The document pointed to poor supporter experiences and 'under-utilisations leading to poor financial outcomes'.
It showed Albany's QBE Stadium required a roof replacement and noted the west and south stands at Mt Smart are 'at the end of useful life'.
Public parking at the Warriors' home ground was listed as 'very poor'.
The presentation reiterated the need to replace Eden Park's playing surface, and showed the playing surface and public parking at Western Springs were in a 'very poor condition'.
It goes on to tell councillors 'doing nothing is not an option' and the 'current state cannot continue', before laying out financial considerations for the next 20 years.
Implementing a refreshed venue development strategy (VDS) would include ploughing $124m-worth of renewals into Eden Park, while also re-purposing Western Springs as an international cricket ground. Essential renewals to QBE and Mt Smart would also be progressed.
Implementing the VDS, as opposed to doing nothing, would result in capital investment savings of $294m, RFA claimed.
Despite a recent groundswell of commentary on Eden Park's future, the stadium's fate was listed in RFA's presentation as a long term consideration, as opposed to a short or medium term one.
A council vote on whether to endorse the VDS was set down for February 20, but Auckland Council's Planning Committee was yet to consider it.
RFA told councillors continuing with the current state would elongate its own financial concerns, as well as the and the Eden Park Trust Board's.
Maintaining the status quo would also mean hireres could not make returns from using the grounds.
Reputational risk was presented as a problem.
RFA stated decisions were currently being made 'reactively, based on urgency and under time pressures', while also pointing out Auckland was already losing events due to a lack of suitable venues.