Cricket lights call on hold

The decision on whether ratepayer's money will pay for a substantial portion of the bill to light the Bay Cricket Oval for televised international matches is on hold until Monday.

City Councillors were all set to debate the request for $915,000 of ratepayer's money this week during the draft annual plan deliberations, when it was called off on the strength of something learned by CEO Garry Poole on a recent Wellington trip.


The decision on the Bay Oval lights is on hold until Monday. Photo: Ross Brown.

'We became aware that NZ Cricket will be announcing the game allocation this Friday,” Garry.

Councillors accepted the recommendation that the Bay Oval lights report lay on the table until after the NZ Cricket announcement, as the game allocation may have a bearing on the decision.

The proposal is for Council to provide funding of $915,000 by way of a loan funded grant in 2016/17 towards the capital cost of lighting, with the Civic Amenities Group contributing $915,000 and the balance from other public funding agencies.

This will result in lights being available for the 2017/18 cricket season. Bay Oval Trust will fund the majority of ongoing operational costs associated with the lights.

The estimated total project cost is $4.5 million.

The recommended option is for councillors to support the proposal to ensure Tauranga remains competitive in attracting an enduring programme of international cricket, with the added opportunity to attract Tier One nations such as Australia, England and India.

The cost benefit analysis and business case support this recommendation and identifies a positive net benefit to the city from additional games that could be secured with lights.

The Bay of Plenty Cricket Association was goaded into developing the oval when, in 2001, it lost first class cricket because of inadequate facilities.

Since then, close to $4 million has been raised by the Bay Oval Trust to develop Bay Oval into the facility that it is today.

Council provided funding to develop public facilities on the site and assist with ongoing maintenance costs of cricket wickets and nets.

In 2016, Bay Oval is hosting international, national and local teams. Bay Oval is recognised as a highly competitive venue with other cricket grounds that have a long association with hosting international and domestic cricket.

The competitive advantage of Bay Oval over other venues is attributable to many factors including climate, drainage, location, and lifestyle.

In the 2015-25 long term plan the council resolved to work with Sport Bay of Plenty to develop a business case for the lighting, which has been done, and it is in favour of the development.

You may also like....

5 comments

Was funding Support at risk Mr Poole?

Posted on 26-05-2016 16:06 | By Murray.Guy

I'm wondering if Mr Poole knows more than he is letting on, if the majority of elected members have already indicated not supporting the use of rates to light up a couple of cricket games? This is a $4.5 million project that will be accompanied with close to $500,000 in annual operating costs, including depreciation, R&M. I wonder if staff and elected Members have been as diligent with their business case as they profess to be in regards the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Project?


Sorry but NO

Posted on 26-05-2016 18:35 | By Councillorwatch

No more rates money to these sort of things. We've already spent millions on Baypark and we at one stage even purchased a Speedway business, didn't we Murray?


Answer

Posted on 26-05-2016 22:49 | By Crash test dummies

Leave them off, no need and never was.


Hmmmm

Posted on 27-05-2016 00:08 | By How about this view!

Won't be long now..... We will see a requirement for extra lighting in the plans for the new civic centre and it won't be to light up the Museum (That we desperately need).


How smart is that!!!

Posted on 27-05-2016 07:06 | By Jimmy Ehu

now here was I thinking a CEO earning 250k + per annum would have got staff to check out NZ Crickets scheduling of games before it got this far, or BOP cricket should have had all facts along with a full financial plan before submitting the proposal, instead...... we get arrogance and nothing that even relates to a " business plan" and ratepayers are asked to pay, and Council wonder why they get so much ridicule.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.