Dunedin stadium hangs in balance

[AndyS]

By DAVID WILLIAMS - The Press

An $188 million stadium proposed for Dunedin is still uncertain as the trust formed to investigate the project rushes to buy land and finalise costs before a new deadline.

Former mayor Richard Walls, the chairman of the Dunedin City Council's finance and strategy committee, and Mayor Peter Chin said yesterday that the Carisbrook Stadium Trust had been given more time to secure agreements for land in Awatea Street, about 1.5km from the Octagon.

Asked if he was confident the project would go ahead, Walls said:"Neither the trust nor the council could say yes or no at this point. It is on the cusp."

Walls' committee considered peer reviews of the trust's budget forecasts and costs, by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Rider Levett Bucknall, which are being kept confidential.

Councillors received an update on land acquisition during a marathon session behind closed doors on Monday.

Walls said it was the first time councillors had seen the "big picture", and the trust had encountered unexpected hurdles.

The trust will make a final report on March 10 that will be considered a week later by the committee.

Walls was firm there would be no further extensions. "It is agreed by the trust and the council that if those matters are not met, the project will come to an end."

Chin described the council's $91.4m contribution to the project as "very much a worst-case scenario" and said an increase in funding had not been considered.

Work was being done, he said, to decrease the burden on ratepayers.

"We need to get all the facts and all the details that we require ahead of actually making that decision as to whether we have a final commitment to go forward or that the project comes to an end," he said.

Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said the council's response was positive. Asked if the project could be completed on budget and on time, he said: "We have always said that this is going to be very, very tight and very, very difficult. Nothing has changed."

Farry said land acquisition was the most critical area and he confirmed three parties were holding out for prices or conditions that the trust found unacceptable.

Walls raised the possibility of the trust not being able to secure the land. If the stadium scheme did not go ahead, there would be an alternative plan for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he said.

(and time just keeps on ticking away...)

[Flamethrower]

Walls raised the possibility of the trust not being able to secure the land. If the stadium scheme did not go ahead, there would be an alternative plan for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he said.

Ring Ring
"Hello, is that the ARU? Could you hold some of the games over there?"

[beige]

Ring Ring
"Hello, is that the ARU? Could you hold some of the games over there?"

"Sure, but we can't guarantee clean stadia..."

[AndyS]

Ring Ring
"Hello, is that the ARU? Could you hold some of the games over there?"

"No problem, we'll take the last eight"

[Happy]

bring em all over here...

[BLR]

By DAVID WILLIAMS - The Press
An $188 million stadium proposed for Dunedin is still uncertain as the trust formed to investigate the project rushes to buy land and finalise costs before a new deadline.

And they want to build a $800 million stadium here? Whoever is running the budget for this stadium we need to build us a rectangular stadium...

[Darren]

$1.1 BILLION now

[GIGS20]

Ring Ring
"Hello, is that the ARU? Could you hold some of the games over there?"

Yeah Geoff Stooke here, we've got plenty of land, you build the stadium here and We'll call it New Zealand sovereign territory for the term of the World Cup........After that...Piss off it's ours!

[AndyS]

And they want to build a $800 million stadium here? Whoever is running the budget for this stadium we need to build us a rectangular stadium...

$180m stadium to replace Carisbrook
Thursday August 10, 2006
By Craig Page

Carisbrook, the 130-year-old rugby ground in Dunedin, is to be abandoned in favour of a stadium costing up to $180 million in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The University of Otago will be a major financial partner in the multipurpose stadium, costing between $150 million and $180 million, planned to replace Carisbrook.

The venue is likely also to become the new home for the university's signature School of Physical Education.

The Carisbrook Stadium Trust announced last night that it had all but abandoned the option to upgrade Carisbrook in favour of replacing the stadium.

The announcement was expected, but the trust's coup was confirmation that the university would join the project, owning part of the stadium and contributing significant financing towards it.

The relationship will be the first of its kind for a stadium in New Zealand.

The announcement said the Otago Rugby Football Union would be the anchor tenant and the stadium would be the home for Otago and Highlanders rugby.

Day-to-day management of the stadium would lie with the trust, which intended attracting concerts, other sports outside of rugby, and seminars to the facility.

The facility could also create an opportunity to establish a New Zealand High Performance Sports Centre in Dunedin.

Trust chief executive Malcolm Farry said financial details were not complete, but the stadium could cost between $150 million and $180 million.

Plans could include capacity for up to 32,000 and for a roof, although that would depend on the cost.

Two waterfront sites in the vicinity of Logan Park were being considered, he said.

"It will revolutionise our city and create a new vibrancy to our region."

University vice-chancellor Professor David Skegg confirmed the university would put part of its $140 million capital expenditure towards the project.

The joint venture would solve problems for both the trust and university, he said.

Dunedin and southern New Zealand had faced a major decision about the future of Carisbrook and its continued status as a test venue.

The university has a capital development plan to alleviate serious space shortages for students. The time frames for the two issues were almost identical.

Dunedin-founded company Arrow International has agreed to conduct development management planning for the stadium and oversee two feasibility studies in the next eight months.

An international design competition will be held to come up with an "innovative" and cost-effective design.

It is expected the stadium would be completed by October 2010 and allow a full Super 14 rugby season to be played there before the World Cup.

A final decision on whether to go ahead with the project will be made at the completion of feasibility studies.

Mr Farry conceded the decision would ultimately depend on the availability of funding. While that had yet to be secured, he said sources would include the university, naming right sponsors, ground members, Community Trust of Otago, corporate sponsors, shares, bonds, and the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council.

"This project hinges on the support of all our funding parties," Mr Farry said.

"If this isn't supported by the wider community and the city and regional councils, then it would be a significant obstacle."

He was adamant any council funding should come from existing capital expenditure and a re-evaluation of existing projects, rather than raising rates.

If the funding cannot be achieved, it is understood the trust would then revisit plans for upgrading Carisbrook, an option expected to cost $50 million.

Professor Skegg said the project was an exciting opportunity for the city to consider something more than a traditional sports stadium, which is unused for long periods.

A stadium complex including the university amenities would be a major drawcard for students coming to Dunedin, he said.

[Seldom]

bring em all over here...

You guys had a go already, when you lost the finals. We need to win at least once more and can only do it at home!

[jono]

"Sure, but we can't guarantee clean stadia..."

or correct shape...

[jargan83]

You guys had a go already, when you lost the finals. We need to win at least once more and can only do it at home!

Most of New Zealand hopes

But is nice to see that the stadium debate isnt localised to Perth, at least they'll get one in the right shape