$4m stadium plea to council
Backers’ request made for money to test feasibility of ‘zero cost’ project
The consortium planning to build a $1.8 billion waterfront stadium at “zero cost to ratepayers” has sought $4 million from Auckland Council.
Auckland Stadium Consortium chairman Dave Wigmore has confirmed making a request to council for funding and plans to approach the Government, private sector and philanthropists for help with the next stage — testing the feasibility of the project.
Wigmore said when the consortium sounded out council for financial assistance, council officers said the next phase of works was in the order of $4m.
A council source said the $4m request came from the consortium, which was turned down.
Asked how the request for public money squared with a promise to build an iconic stadium within 10 years at zero cost to ratepayers, Wigmore said the money would be refunded by the developer when the project goes to market in 12 to 18 months. The same would apply to private funding.
If the project does not proceed,
HWhat’s your view? letters@hos.co.nz Wigmore said, the council or whoever will receive all the intellectual property developed through the facilitation process.
The consortium plans to ask for taxpayer assistance when it meets Finance Minister and Sports Minister Grant Robertson.
A spokeswoman said the minister did not have anything to add to earlier comments that he has not met with the consortium but is open to doing so at some point.
“We don’t have anything further to add to yesterday’s comments as we have yet to meet the consortium,” the spokeswoman said.
Ratepayer funding of stadiums is a touchy subject at council since Mayor Phil Goff received a feasibility report this year by PwC costing $923,000 that looked at several sites, costing between $1.1 billion and $1.5b.
The report led to Goff receiving a letter from nine of the 19 councillors expressing “strong dissatisfaction” over his handling of access to the report.