Review Should Bring Closure to the Community Sports Centre Debate

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the outcome of the Indoor Community Sports Centre review and said the project should go ahead as soon as possible.

“The conclusive outcome of the review should put the debate behind us once and for all,” said Chamber President, Jo Bransgrove.

Ideally the Sports Centre would have been located close to the Westpac Trust Stadium but numerous reviews have made it clear that overall, Cobham Park is the best option for the facility. 

The stadium option would have meant  the city’s hosting of Rugby World Cup 2011 could be put at risk from potential construction delays.

“The option still  remains for another community facility suitable to the location, such as an events centre or inddoor stadium to be built at or near Westpac Trust Stadium at a future date.

“Not only is Cobham Park the cheapest location for the Community Sports Centre, it is the best in terms of both size (the inner city site would only be eight courts) and parking.

“For the good of the city, the project should finally go ahead.  Wellington urgently needs a modern indoor sport facility of the scale and type proposed and immediate construction of the centre will provide a timely boost to the Wellington economy.

“We encourage the remaining appellant to accept the outcome of the review and withdraw his appeal at the Environment Court.  We can not wait another two years.

“The Indoor Community Sports Centre will be an important addition to the diverse go-ahead, sports-loving city that Wellington is,” Ms Bransgrove concluded.

ends

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