Ericsson Stadium business plan with the Warriors

The Auckland Regional Council has put a solid business proposition to the Warriors for the redevelopment of Ericsson Stadium.

ARC Parks and Heritage Committee Chairman Bill Burrill says the Council has discussed the proposal with the Warriors and the Council has no desire to enter any regional battle over stadia.

“The ARC’s business plan will see Ericsson Stadium enhanced with the addition of a new East Stand at no cost to ratepayers,” Cr Burrill says.

“That plan has been audited by both Audit New Zealand and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, who describe it as conservative and achieveable.”

Cr Burrill says the ARC’s business case indicates that if the development does not go ahead, there will be a cost to ratepayers of approximately $700,000 per year, as Ericsson Stadium is a reserve and must be maintained as a public facility.

Currently, Ericsson is the only stadium in the Auckland region, if not the country, that is self-funding. It is in the ratepayers’ interest to keep it that way.

“The ARC does not have any money available to put into an alternative stadium and this Council believes that there are sufficient stadia in Auckland now,” he says.

“The ARC has always enjoyed a close relationship with the Warriors built on a foundation of sound business practice.”

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