5 November 2004

Carisbrook Working Party Thrilled With Initial Feedback

Dunedin (5 November, 2004) – The passion with which the people of Otago regard Carisbrook has been abundantly clear in the feedback received by the Working Party that is looking at options for the stadium.

Working Party chairman Jim Harland said he is thrilled with the level of interest shown in the Great Carisbrook Curtain-Raiser, which is a beginning of a process to determine the Long Term Vision for Carisbrook. The Curtain-raiser has included the distribution of an information and feedback bulletin to residents and ratepayers throughout Otago, a series of public meetings throughout the region and some media promotion to raise awareness.

“We are delighted with the level of feedback we have received so far and it isn’t really a surprise to learn that there is a lot of passion in the community about what might happen to Carisbrook,” he said.

So far more than 4,000 responses have been received to the feedback bulletin while around 200 people attended public forums. People still have until November 12 to return the feedback forms.

“We have yet to assess responses but judging by the discussion at public meetings we know that the issue of how any upgrade of Carisbrook might be funded will need to be fully canvassed with the public,” Mr Harland said.

“We’ve had responses ranging from an 80-year-old suggesting we hold a telethon to help fund it, through to an anonymous donation of $3.70,” he noted.

The Working Party looking at the future of Carisbrook is consulting residents in the Otago region and asking them which of three options for the future of Carisbrook they favour. Those options are: The Status Quo; an upgrade of the ground over time; or the resiting of a new facility near the waterfront. The details of the consultation programme and options are available at www.CityofDunedin.com/Carisbrook.

The Working Party’s efforts will include looking at funding and ownership options for Carisbrook.

The views expressed in the initial Curtain-Raiser will assist the preparation of more detailed information on a preferred option. People will be able to comment on the preferred option during further consultation over coming months.

“It is clear that there is enormous interest in what happens to Carisbrook and we will keep people informed every step of the way,” Mr Harland said.

ENDS

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