Auckland CBD stadium could be on the cards again

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

An artist's impression of the Auckland waterfront stadium first proposed in 2006.

An impending crossroads for the future of Eden Park is renewing calls for a new football stadium at the waterfront in downtown Auckland.

The man fronting Auckland's stadium strategy said sometime in the coming years Eden Park will need major investment which there is no funding set aside for, The New Zealand Herald reported.

The stadium was the Labour government's choice for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Regional facilities chief executive Chris Brooks, who has been given responsibility of reviving Auckland's stadiums plans, said the stalled strategy needed a 'refresh' and the city needed to decide whether to reinvest in Eden Park or to build a new stadium.

Regional Facilities Auckland and the Warriors announced in February the NRL club would remain at Mt Smart Stadium until 2028, but when that contract ends the Warriors' managing director Jim Doyle wanted a new stadium in the heart of the city, to be shared with the Blues.

* Warriors to remain at Mt Smart Stadium until 2028

* $100m harbour stadium pledge reignites debate**

It would spell the end of Eden Park and Mt Smart Stadium, but Doyle believed this would make Auckland a more attractive city.

'To me, a city like Auckland deserves a downtown stadium,' Doyle said.

'All public transport leads there, there are restaurants and cafes and it would be so vibrant.

'It could be shared between the Warriors, the Blues, soccer. So we could have games there on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday and each team would pick up a lot more fans because it would be easier to get to.

'For me, it's the only logical outcome for the city and possibly the country. I think it will happen, it's just a case of when.'

Auckland came close to having a waterfront stadium for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Labour government in 2006 announced its preference for the waterfront stadium over upgrading Eden Park and so too did Auckland City Council, but the Auckland Regional Council voted unanimously against it.

Back in 2006, Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard offered up $500m to help build a national stadium on the waterfront - an effort that was lobbied against by the Eden Park rugby establishment.

Eden Park Trust Board chairman Doug McKay told the Herald he was unaware of talks about a new stadium, but he hoped to be a part of any future conversation.

Eden Park could cover its interest bill and running costs but could not put aside depreciation funding of around $7 or $8 million each year for future work.

'What that means in [10 or 20 years'] time when you need an upgrade is you have to go cap in hand to the Government and the council,' he said.

McKay said the board was disappointed they had not been an active participant in the stadium strategy, which had resulted in the Warriors staying at Mt Smart Stadium until 2028.