Calls for new city stadium

ASB Baypark's exclusion from hosting Chiefs games this Super 15 season is catalysing discussion about a new purpose-built stadium for the city.

Mayor Stuart Crosby has this week advocated for a new stadium to be built at the city's Wharepai Domain with a 15,000 – 18,000 seat capacity.

Mayor Stuart Crosby wants a new city stadium on the agenda for discussion.

He says the discussion needs to be had over the city's need for a premier stadium as part of the rejuvenation of the central business district.

'We don't have a premier ground in Tauranga,” says Stuart.

'We are the sixth largest city in New Zealand and we miss out on a lot because we don't have that facility.”

Baypark last year missed out on rights to host any of the Chiefs games in 2014 due to the lack of a suitable ground. The games instead will go to Taranaki after the franchise moved from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs.

Long-time stadium advocate Terry Leaming – known as Hori BOP - has been pushing for an alternative rugby venue redevelopment for years.

Terry has been a single issue candidate at recent council elections, calling for the redevelopment of the city's domain as a premier rugby venue.

But during this year's Mayoral campaign, Terry says it became clear the $50million required to build a main stand at the domain is unattainable due to the city's debt. He instead proposed moving the speedway to the All-Terrain Park and re-establishing ASB Baypark as a stand-alone stadium.

The Mayor says the lower fields at the domain could be used, with the potential to shift the re-locatable seating from Baypark to the Domain.

What he wants assessed as part of the discussion is how a stadium can link in with the other major central city projects under consideration; the university campus, the international hotel and the conference centre.

'I made an election promise, which I intend to keep to ensure, that there is a rejuvenated CBD,” says Stuart.

'That's critical for our city and so again the feasibility study needs to identify what type of events could be utilised there to support people after the event, going into the CBD.”

He says the stadium could be used locally, sub-regionally, regionally and nationally – it wouldn't be built just for the occasional All Blacks game.

'That's the last thing it would be built for,” says Stuart.

As part of the public conversation Stuart wants a feasibility group to explore all the options, before a decision is made to proceed or not.

'You can't talk about economic development and not provide facilities for events. Events are very low hanging fruit for economic growth development, but to get money into the city for events you actually need facilities. They go hand-in-hand.”

Baypark was never intended to be a premier venue, says Stuart.

'It's a speedway track with a bit of grass in the middle, and people aren't utilising it because it's just not up to standard. That's why we need to have this conversation.”

He's supported by former Chiefs CEO and now Bay Leisure and Events Ltd CEO, Gary Dawson.

Gary was also involved in the development of Hamilton's International Stadium, and says they are expensive.

'As a city we have to understand what are the advantages and costs associated with them,” says Gary.

'I think one of the things that is pretty clear is if you can attract big events to the city - whether it be at a football stadium or the ASB Arena or in a park or whatever - the economic multiplier effect on the city is very positive.

'So it's not just about looking at the stadium as stand-alone, it's got to be tied with all these other projects and it's the wider economic benefits it brings to the city that's important.”

If Tauranga wants to attract top quality football, and he includes rugby, rugby league and soccer, Gary says ASB Baypark no longer meets the needs of the high level professional teams.

Bringing ASB Baypark up to standard would be an expensive exercise, and the fans will still be too far away, because of the stock car track between the playing field and the grandstands.

Palmerston North stands some of the spectators on the stock car track, but it's a lot narrower than ASB Baypark, and it is perhaps not as intensively used as ASB Baypark by stock car events, the monster trucks and concerts.

Tauranga needs the debate, says Gary.

'Does Tauranga need specialist football stadium? Where does it go? If it is a priority how do we go about funding it? Where should it be located? All questions that have to be looked at.

'The Chiefs have made it pretty clear it's just not suitable for Super Rugby games. When you are competing with other stadia to get the Phoenix and the Warriors here that's going to be increasingly more difficult. As New Zealand attracts events like the Fifa World Cup and you have got a Lions tour coming up, Tauranga is going to miss out if we don't have a stadium.”

The Taranaki Rugby Football Union, which is moving from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs in 2014, will host two Chiefs matches in Taranaki – against The Blues on May 9 and the Waratahs on May 31.

As a result there will be no games in Tauranga and only a pre-season match at the Rotorua International Stadium on February 14.

The Chiefs are scheduled to play home games at Waikato Stadium on March 1, 14, April 19, May 3, and July 4. The venues for the play-offs, semis and finals are not yet set.

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45 comments

Is this the 100 day Vision?

Posted on 09-01-2014 07:50 | By Murray.Guy

This must be the cornerstone of the 100 day CITY VISION Mayor Crosby spoke repeatedly of during his campaigning. He's basically destroyed the CBD with his bus depot in Willow Street and parking charges, now he wants to kill off the Domain with it's magnificent views over the Kaimai Ranges, inner harbour and Mount Maunganui, adding 150 million to our cities debt in the process at the expense of critical storm water and flood mitigation works. Please don't waste our money on a 'feasibility study', we can tell you the outcome for free just as we did for your 'Museum on a Pier' vision that cost us and wasted a couple of million, your vision of a Wellness centre at the Hot Pools that cost us (wasted) another million or so and the list goes on!


Can we hear

Posted on 09-01-2014 08:17 | By nerak

from the Councillors please. It would interest ratepayers, I'm sure, to understand their thoughts on this topic. I for one will be waiting for their input.


No brainier

Posted on 09-01-2014 08:41 | By Bigmacnfries

This has to happen to see the city move forward. Bay park is never going to be a ground to host decent matches, the only way forward is to build a new stadium and Wharepai Domain is the obvious location.


Here We Go Again, Rename City Crosby Town

Posted on 09-01-2014 08:49 | By tabatha

When is this so called Mayor going to start to listen to the public, I might be wrong in assuming! I got the feeling Tauranga electors wanted a peg back on spending, but here we go again. Please all elected members have your own thoughts on this idea. Yes Tauranga could do with a great stadium, but we can not afford.There is only one space at the domain and that is where the main field is in my opinion.The reason for Crosby Town is that soon TCC will be a town again and the last one out will need to turn the lights off. Note how all this comes up in holiday time. Question, who else is pushing this from council, EM's or workers?


Missed that boat

Posted on 09-01-2014 08:56 | By Sambo Returns

The bloody boat has sailed, and will not be back anytime soon, get over it and move onto a decent storm water system, and other needy ratepayer requirements, the opportunity has passed, with the R.W.C., Crosby and his cronies, never woke up to the idea that rugby no matter what you think of the game, is still the biggest entertainment revenue earner around,the spin offs for a city are huge, but NO not Tauranga,well sorry move on!!!, I will travel to Hamilton to watch my sport, Baypark is a speedway facility and all ways was, besides being a lemon!!!, and we are still burdened with that debt, the Domain no way, you would have to close the city down to facilitate 20k fans trying to get in and out of the area, it is not the 70s, mind you our sporting facilities have not improved much since then.


a hum

Posted on 09-01-2014 09:14 | By Capt_Kaveman

because of past blunders this city has no money so stop wasting time and fix the infrastructure


Waste of Money

Posted on 09-01-2014 09:31 | By C whit

How many games a year would be played at this park?? There is so much Rugby being played around the country that we can just watch it on TV. It would be the biggest waste of money ever.


Murray, no, its a 100 days of blinkers ....

Posted on 09-01-2014 09:54 | By YOGI BEAR

There will be no $150m of new debt out of a new stadium, the city can not even afford to the $90m odd for storm water flooding. Seems the priorities are moving to a swan-song project for the Mayor and that all has nothing to do with being able to afford it all. Seems little point in a new footy stadium anyway as The Naki and Waikato have the Chiefs all tied up for 7 years anyway.


Good Idea

Posted on 09-01-2014 09:58 | By metallicite

Perfect for Tauranga, only thing agreed is how will we get the money? That will be the first "feasibility study". One thing about spending money on a stadium in the CBD is it will bring back in revenue for the city and the local businesses, more jobs etc. If Dunedin can have a new stadium why can't Tauranga (and we wouldn't need a roof!)


Fix the broken stuff

Posted on 09-01-2014 11:31 | By tish

your ratepayers have already paid for repeatedly in their rates and stop wasting our (not YOUR) money on something unnecessary and extremely costly. Start doing your jobs, the ones we pay you to do.


You Have To be Joking

Posted on 09-01-2014 12:53 | By beth1

Are you in lala land - the costs for a great stadium is beyound Tauranga's budget - Waikato stadium is worth the hour drive over to soak up that "Chiefs atmosphere!" We have travelled to all the Chiefs games ove the last few years and worth every dollar. Bay Park is the worst stadium to watch a rugby game in and is always so badly organised and I wouldn't waste my breath - Good on Taranaki securing the Chiefs games. You also have no parking unless you want to collect revenue from your parking meter guys!!! Get real for this stadium to be sucessfull you would be looking at 50 million plus which you have not got ... so easy for you to keep dumping debt on the ratepayers to glorify your dreams. Go the Mighty Chiefs! in Waikato not Tauranga.


Here we go again!!

Posted on 09-01-2014 15:00 | By s83cruiser

How many more monuments to council stupidity do the rate payers of TGA need to fork out for? For heaven's sake let's pay off the debt burden that the successive councils have incurred on rate payers behalf. If the local rugby team needs a stadium, then let them build one. The council spent an absolute fortune on an art gallery so local artist had some where to display their works. To the best of my knowledge rate payers are still footing the bill for this stupid council feel good expenditure. Please let's not go there again for rugby player and what sports code will be next with their hands out for purpose built facilities. Council, just get the basic's right and then when that's all fixed then look at the bling. Get the NEED'S sorted and then look at the WANT'S.


First Things First!

Posted on 09-01-2014 15:04 | By Disappointed

Mayor Crosby should be concerning himself more with doing something about the sea lettuce that is stinking up the inner harbour and pervading the Mount beaches. If yesterdays experience of sea lettuce in the shallows at Main Beach remains unchecked then you can be guaranteed this city will lose more visitors and more business than any stadium would ever attract.


Rugby Stadium

Posted on 09-01-2014 15:40 | By Pamaxx

An international standard sport stadium is a no brainer for Tauranga. The question is where to site it. ASB Baypark is the logical site since it already has motor vehicle access and plenty of parking. A feasibility study is an early priority. Perhaps TECT could fund this. Max Lewis, Mt Maunganui


Finally

Posted on 09-01-2014 15:53 | By MadDogJosh

Thank you Mr Crosby. Smart thinking. Would love a new Stadium because Baypark is crap. Perfect location. I would actually go and watch the rugby now.


Unbelievable

Posted on 09-01-2014 16:31 | By Hess

The last time a Tauranga mayor built a stadium it became a sodden bog in times of rain - Greerton Park. A new stadium at Whareapai - for a start, where would we park ?? And could you imagine the traffic congestion!! Then there is the fact that the Chiefs don't give a toss about BOP - look to the fact that Rotorua, with an "international" stadium hasn't even got one game except for a pre-season training run. Baypark has plenty of room for another fit "for purpose" sport stadium with plenty of parking and other facilities already place, there is even train tracks that could be utilized to take and return the droves of people from the CBD hotels(oops that be thinking to much).


Travel Instead

Posted on 09-01-2014 17:04 | By cs1983

Instead of spending millions on a new stadium that would only get 1-2 chiefs games a year and 1 all black game every 10 years why not have a convoy of buses that go from tauranga to Hamilton and back same day - family friendly and cheaper thanks to a council subsidy - this would be way cheaper than a new stadium.... perhaps incorporated into ticket costs on the buyer's request? theres plenty of other options? temp seating at Blake Park for a game like they do in Mangatainoka for the Tui Super Rugby Pre Season Game - if they can do it, we can, cheaply of course - no point for millions on a unused stadium...


Stupid Stupid Stupid

Posted on 09-01-2014 17:30 | By carpedeum

Well have heard some stupid ideas - but this takes the cake!!! First thing to do is employ an INDEPENDENT company to do a feasibilty study as to which would make the most economic sense- to upgrade the current BayPark(its neither fish nor fowl at present)but has two MAJOR THINGS - non congested access... .plus parking (also room for expansion) or look for another location.QED


Special purpose rstes

Posted on 09-01-2014 17:54 | By Crash test dummies

Why not have one for this to, a museum special rate, Mayoral travel special rate, road special rate (more tolls), voting special rate ... When would ever end .... Why stop there, why not a special purpose venue for: soccer, bob sledding, hockey, jet boats, flying kites and all on the hope and promise of once in a 100 years that the U18 59th grade team from MAN U will appear for a 5 minute warm up session .... This is the land of zombies for sure.


Overit

Posted on 09-01-2014 18:29 | By overit

I dont think so Mr Mayor! Rotorua has one, Hamilton has one - both are within easy driving range from Tga. Do not saddle us with this idea-look at what happened in Dunedin.


Here we go again

Posted on 09-01-2014 19:15 | By Accountable

Stuart,you are full of promises.We are still waiting for you to get back to us about your suggestion on how you could organise the existing parking machines to be able to give our customers some free monitored parking with reasonable time limits. That was six months ago and still nothing. What benefits are there for the CBD? Will the rugby patrons pay to park at 5pm on a Saturday Night to pay for the parking building that would be required to accommodate these people? The CBD needs the Council to invest in free parking for our customers who support us seven days a week not just in the weekends.There are very few benefits for the existing businesses in a weekend operation except for a dozen bars and restaurants. Please Stuart get back to basics and listen to those who really know what's needed to revitalise the CBD. Wake up.


Oh no!

Posted on 09-01-2014 19:36 | By Blogger

Blow some more money... make us hard up earners pay more rates yet again! Can't even afford to go out to dinner! I heard there is already 5%increase on the way from a previous sun live article. Shame on you councillors, priorities!


Location

Posted on 10-01-2014 09:57 | By maccachic

Council owns a big farm at Te Tumu maybe they could stick it there?? How many people would actually go and how about these people stump up some cash.


Ratepayers Duped

Posted on 10-01-2014 10:22 | By surferboy

Mayor crosby never mentioned stadium once during elections because if he had he would lost a large part of his vote.This project would be a direct wealth transfer from ratepayers to rugby players, coaches and sponsors. Stadiums worldwide lose money and multiplier effects are rubbish.The mayor should stop this discussion right now or have a new election.


Surfer boy

Posted on 10-01-2014 13:28 | By Crash test dummies

No chance of hearing about this during the election. What you can see here though is the Mayor Crosby has gone to the bottom rung on the mayoral voting results ie (Hori BOP), grabbed the campaign topic and is now trying to make it his own idea. Crosby, we see your game, HINT .... bad idea and getting worse by the minute because YOU are thinking about it.


Rugby opinion

Posted on 10-01-2014 13:43 | By Crash test dummies

Why would you ask them for an opinion? They are always going to say ... YES YES MORE MORE BIGGER BIGGER .... like what else are they going to say! Come people ... Take that out and what is left in this page above? A CUP A SICK .... idea and the Lone Ranger all alone talking about it. If not good enough to raise this in the the election then don't now! 100 days of planning ... By the Mayor .... Is this all you have got from that? Stole HORI BOPs ideas and make them your own .


If Crosbo wants a new stadium, he can pay for it

Posted on 10-01-2014 14:39 | By southmark

I've been a season ticket holder with the BOP Rugby Union for a few years, and agree that Baypark is a bit of turkey. However, it'll have to do. Tauranga gets 3 home games in the ITM Cup and would be lucky to get 1-2 Chimps games, unlikely given New Plymouth are now part of the catchment. Saddling ratepayers with $100m+ debt for half a dozen games a year? No thanks, I'll stick with Baypark and my annual 10% rates increase, thievery as it is. At least it's preferable to a 30% increase that a new stadium would require


Southmark

Posted on 10-01-2014 15:30 | By Crash test dummies

If they say $100m then it will be $200m + that is just the way they operate.


MACACHIC

Posted on 10-01-2014 16:35 | By Crash test dummies

Te Tumu land. TCC can not do anything with that land until 2026 at best. Only way around that is pay former owners millions so they will allow TCC to be saddled with about $40m of debt. So can be none but add about $60m to the overall cost of the Stadium.


Idea as Bad as Photoshopping

Posted on 10-01-2014 17:08 | By Alex Reed

This idiotic idea is almost as bad the photoshopping in the article, unless of course we have two suns and no one has bothered to tell me.


@ Jaffa

Posted on 10-01-2014 17:34 | By southmark

No figures yet, that I'm aware of, but in full agreement: budget blowouts are par for the course with this kind of thing


Give stu a break !

Posted on 11-01-2014 15:23 | By ow

As this will be Stu's last term as mayor he would like to have a few projects that he could say he did it! (and hopefully a nameplate saying he officially opened it)


OW

Posted on 12-01-2014 13:40 | By Plonker

NO ... NO .... NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


OW

Posted on 12-01-2014 13:51 | By Plonker

If Stu wants a "swan-song" exit this term then by all means he can add his name to any one or more of the projects completed in the last 9-010 years: Route K $90m, Baywave $40m, Baypark $25m, ASB Arena $70m, Mount Greens $30m, Mount Hot Pools fiasco $10m, Chapel Street plant upgrade $30m, Southern Pipeline $250m, the Papamoa beach outfall pipe ?, Pyes Pa Bypass, $15m ... and so the list goes on. There are plenty of items to look at here and that Mayor Crosby will be able to place a name tag on that better fit his achievements to date.


No money

Posted on 13-01-2014 12:24 | By YOGI BEAR

No can do ... looking at the report from Stand and Poors from October last year Council is well over its self imposed debt limit of 250% of income. Standard and Poors have confirmed that the actual debt is 270%. So how possibly can TCC commit anything to a new stadium, just look at other places like: Hamilton, Auckland, Dunedin ... the cost has been huge for ratepayers.


Mr Ken

Posted on 13-01-2014 15:31 | By pamken

this Mayor gets back by the skin of his teeth, and he still cant see that interests are going to rise, so we should be paying off loans not adding to them,the people voted in should have the guts to say no to big money projects till we can afford them, some of us have to live on a super, we don't all earn your wages.


Stupid idea!!!

Posted on 13-01-2014 16:06 | By Mary Faith

We have a council which is up to the eyeballs in debt! If you can't pay - you don't have - it is simple as that! 15,000 -18,000 seats? Where do they park their cars? Wharepai Domain is a very small secluded and beautiful park surrounded by huge, magnificent, mature trees. Tennis courts and the croquet club grace the space between Wharepai and the domain. These would obviously go. We have so little green space in our city - it is a very ill considered idea to trash the few places we have left. Build a stadium WHEN we can afford it - and build it in a COMMON SENSE venue. Ratepayers will not forget or forgive the debacle of the present stadium and how much the council has spent on what has turned out to be yet another gigantic stuff-up!!!


well

Posted on 13-01-2014 20:56 | By Capt_Kaveman

hes still back in power and out spending ya money only 10,590 to blame and 63% let it happen


Council could'nt run a bath let alone a stadium

Posted on 14-01-2014 14:38 | By The Tomahawk Kid

I would LOVE a stadium! Where to put it? Anywhere the PRIVATE INVESTORS and developers purchase the land to do so! It is not the council - or the mayors job to provide a stadium - it is their job to GET OUT OF THE WAY, ensure that private investors can provide one for us Free of responsibility and charge! A private entrepreneur was all ready to build a swimming pool complex at the Mount when he was denied permission by Mayor Jan Benge and her council - obviously so they could build Baywave, and get their name on the plaque. The Mayor should immediately CEASE wasting ratepayers money on doing things that are not in his job description. The council couldn't successfully run a warm BATH, let alone an international stadium.


.

Posted on 14-01-2014 20:36 | By Sambo Returns

Mr Crosby is a politician, this is just posturing on his part, to get his name in the Media, and get people talking about him, there will be after the end of this term, a "Super Mayor" job available, imagine that Stu and Len in a bar...........


BAATS

Posted on 16-01-2014 16:26 | By BAATS

This stadium is I udnerstand being promoted mostly for rugby - rugby used to be a sport but now it is a profeesion or business so does it not follow that rugby should build its own stadium the cost of which it recover from match gate sales and also from the many other organisations which our mayor knows are waiting to use it - - or is it all a case of our mayor seeing rugby players as new source of votes wants to encourage so that he may stay at the trough into which we all "happily" pour money. Frank


BAATS

Posted on 19-01-2014 09:19 | By YOGI BEAR

Yes rugby is all professional now, would say though that the stadiums operations are not and that is "normal" because of the owner/operators are Councils, they can not fall on their swords quick enough to throw money at something or in fact anything.


Rugby Stadium

Posted on 28-01-2014 09:22 | By Raewyn

Rugby Stadium | Everybody has a wish list! I say if the Mayor wants a stadium, build it himself and stop thinking the residents of Tauranga should pay for one! At election time most of those voted in had promised to reduce the cities debt,did they all vote against his wish list and this is why he has gone public? There is an international Stadium in Rotorua and they didn't get a chiefs game either


Mayor Crosby supported by ...

Posted on 31-01-2014 00:34 | By Murray.Guy

Mayor Crosby supported by ... He's supported by former Chiefs CEO and now Bay Leisure and Events Ltd CEO, Gary Dawson. Of course he is, the Mayor is his Boss and likely enjoys his six figure salary! He wouldn't say anything else. I note former CEO Ervin McSweeny of TCVL maintains his previous trait of being up front and honest by speaking against the Mayors extravagance. Not a good career move but that's the measure of the man!


Go Murray!

Posted on 31-01-2014 12:30 | By YOGI BEAR

On the money there Murray (if there was any left) the 'wish' list is huge when the idea exists that someone else is going to pay, all the crazy ideas in the world come out of the wood work. This stadium idea is a classic one on that. The debt, costs and annual losses will add hugely to the ratepayers rate bills annually yet nothing of that comes out of the Mayor's mouth, no idea how to pay for it except borrow ... borrow ... borrow ... on a 'she'll be right basis.


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