“ARC moves to bring stadium issue to a head”

February 21, 2001

The Auckland Regional Council has agreed to discuss the future control and management of the Mount Smart Entertainment Complex, incorporating Ericsson Stadium, in the interests of regional unity and a financial saving to ratepayers.

At a full meeting of the ARC this week Chairman Philip Warren gained the unanimous support of his council to approach both Auckland City and Manukau City to discuss the future of the stadium.

“The continued talk of building more stadia in the Auckland region at enormous cost to the ratepayers has long been a concern for this council,” Cr Warren says.

“We are making this move in an attempt to bring the region together on the issue of its sporting and entertainment facilities and to focus politicians’ attention in this election year.

“There is a groundswell within Auckland that the way forward is through a regional approach to events and facilities, as exemplified by Wellington’s recent successes in this area, rather than the proliferation of smaller individual facilities which will end up costing ratepayers more.”

Cr Warren says it is the belief of his council that Auckland needs one international class multi-purpose sporting and entertainment venue. He says there has been interest in the private development of such a venue by a number of consortia, an option which would minimise cost and financial risk to the ratepayers of the region and result in the addition of a 12,000 – 15,000 seat indoor arena.

“The ARC believes there is a need for local bodies to act in the interests of the region as a whole on this issue and by initiating this discussion we are giving a clear indication we are prepared to lead the way,” he says.

ENDS

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