Sports Centre Hold-up a Setback for Wellington

Media Release
9 February 2009

Sports Centre Hold-up a Setback for Wellington

The delay to construction of the $46 million Indoor Community Sports Centre due to councillor politicking is a great shame according to Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Charles Finny.

“We agree that the stadium would have been better located close to the Westpac Trust Stadium but that debate had already been had and the decision to build it at Cobham Park had been made,” said Mr Finny.

“The council has made it clear that Cobham Park is the cheapest option for the facility. It is also the best in terms of size (the inner city site would only be eight courts) and parking.

“It is deeply disappointing that this project will be delayed for two years as a result of this appeal.

“Construction was due to start in April this year. It would have been a timely boost to the Wellington economy (as well as the construction workers) but this is now not to be.

“It is unsatisfactory that a councillor has broken ranks from a collective decision and misused the Resource Management Act in this way. We hope the government’s recently announced reforms will reduce the chances of this sort of thing happening again.

“Wellington needs a modern indoor sport facility of the scale and type proposed. It is an important feature for the diverse go-ahead, sports-loving city that Wellington is,” Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS

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