Stadium team seeks ‘strategic thinker’ leader
Directors are being sought for a new company that will manage the build of Christchurch’s planned stadium.
A long-running investment case found a 25,000-seat, mostly clear-roofed facility would be the best fit for the city. It will host a range of events, including sports and concerts.
It has a $473 million budget, of which
$80m is for contingencies. Construction is forecast to start in 2021, with the build completed by 2024.
Christchurch City Council is settling up the build company and is looking for a ‘‘strategic thinker with governance experience’’ to lead the board, according to a job listing that is open until 5pm on February
14.
The listing describes the roles as a unique opportunity to work on a significant project ‘‘helping re-establish Christchurch as a sporting and cultural capital’’.
When the investment case was released, council major facilities vertical capital delivery manager Alistair Pearson said the board was ‘‘key’’ to the success of the project.
The board will need to make quick decisions as any delays would escalate costs by $1m to $1.2m a month.
Councillors will be briefed on the next steps for stadium funding today.
At last week’s council meeting, chief executive Dawn Baxendale said details of how the stadium would be funded would be agreed on no later than March 2.
The council has committed $253m of funding for the stadium, while the Government has pledged $220m in principle. The investment case was considered by Cabinet before Christmas, but they delegated sign off to ministers Megan Woods and Grant Robertson, pending a final check from Government officials.
A spokesman from Woods’ office said the decision was ‘‘on track’’.
National’s spokeswoman for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner said the Government was ‘‘kicking the can down the road’’ on starting the stadium.
She questioned why Woods, the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister, had not yet approved the funding for the stadium.
The investment case found the stadium would cost $104.9m to run over 30 years, of which $92.7m would be funded by stadium income. An annual council top-up of $4.1m has been budgeted for.
It found the stadium would cost more to build and run than it would return in economic benefits, but notes the city faces problems without a stadium and some benefits cannot be measured.
The council will own the venue and likely have its events company, Vbase, run it.
The investment case recommends a design and build contract be used, meaning a company is paid to both design and build the stadium to a detailed brief.
However, a public-private partnership – the private sector builds and operates the stadium and shares the costs – could be used if the right partners were found.