12 September 2006

Comment on stadium

"New Zealand will provide a fitting world-class finals venue for the Rugby World Cup in 2011," Minister for the Rugby World Cup Trevor Mallard said today.

Trevor Mallard made the comment when he confirmed the government was evaluating the potential of using downtown waterfront sites for developing a world-class stadium, in addition to evaluating the proposed redevelopment of Eden Park.

"The government wants an assurance that there is no alternative better option to the Eden Park proposal, given the considerable size of the potential investment required.

"It is important that the opportunity to capture the enduring social and economic benefits of what could be a potentially multi-purpose facility is not lost. Proximity to good transport hubs, hospitality facilities, hotels, parking and the CBD are key to a city being able to leverage off this investment.

"We see an opportunity to work with the councils and regional authorities to explore what Auckland believes would best achieve a world-class facility which compliments and enhances the city’s conference and event-hosting strategies and which, I would hope, also drives Auckland’s aspirations to be a world class city," Trevor Mallard said.

Trevor Mallard said there was an expectation that the government would assist with raising the funding necessary, on top of the $20 million commitment it had made as part of the joint government-rugby union bid, but decisions on this would be made once evaluations on the two proposals were complete.

"The evaluations of the Eden Park and alternative waterfront option requested by the government are due in mid-October and until cabinet has considered them, there will be no further comment."

ENDS

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