Eden Park welcomes Ports of Auckland stance

Eden Park’s Rob Fisher today welcomed comments by Ports of Auckland CEO Geoff Vazey that a waterfront stadium could not be built in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

“Our experts share this view. Attempting to get a waterfront construction project completed in time for 2011 is hugely risky.”

Mr Fisher said it was important to take time over design and details. “Eden Park’s experts have spent nine months developing our plans to a detailed, robust stage, cost them, undertake extensive community consultation and file for resource consent.”

“These same experts have prepared reports for Eden Park that demonstrate a waterfront stadium could not be finished in time and would cost at least double what it would take to develop Eden Park into a world-class facility.”

Mr Fisher said Eden Park had time on its side and was on track to be completed well in time for the Cup.

“Eden Park’s resource management process has already begun. Locals have been given the time and opportunity to have their say and the plans have been amended in response to local feeling. None of this can occur with the waterfront proposal because there simply isn’t time.”

Mr Fisher said Eden Park’s resource consent hearings were scheduled to begin before the end of November.

“Eden Park has a world-class design that will showcase New Zealand to the world while addressing transport and neighbourhood issues. Acclaimed by urban design leader Gordon Moller, it will continue to be a venue to be proud of long after the Cup festival is over.”

Mr Fisher said inventive ideas about how to fund a waterfront stadium could equally be applied to Eden Park.

“The Trust Board is prepared to consider entering into an agreement with the Government and funding partners for future governance and management of Eden Park.”

“Importantly, at $320m, we can also continue to operate on a sound financial footing after the Rugby World Cup, without requiring further Government or ratepayer subsidisation.”

Mr Fisher said a report prepared for Eden Park by hotel, tourism and leisure consultant Horwath Asia Pacific Limited showed that a waterfront stadium would not offer any additional economic benefit to Auckland compared to Eden Park, despite costing much more.

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