‘Can do’ country that can’t do stadiums

put forward a presentation for the redevelopment of Carlaw Park, the former league haven at the bottom of Parnell, just along from the waterfront. The waterfront is that thing on the harbour that people keep wanting to build a stadium on or near.

ARL had freehold ownership of the site and, with support from Auckland City Council, wanted to build an all purpose sports and entertainment centre. But the Auckland Regional Council didn’t want to give up what was called Ericsson Stadium and the Warriors signed a deal to stay, effectively killing off the $100 million project. Keep track of the figures. Beware! They may make you cry.

Carlaw Park was back in the news as the 2011 Rugby World Cup loomed large on the horizon with a group of international companies keen to bankroll a $400 million stadium on the site. City councillors were arguing over the choice between Carlaw, a waterfront stadium or dear old Eden Park. In the end the garden of Eden buried $190 million of taxpayers’ money and a total spend of $240 million.

But wait, I haven’t finished this tale of woe. Just last year Goff speculated publicly that Eden Park needed another $250 million spent on it to keep the old boy going. This is the stadium the Blues, NZ Cricket and moaning neighbours don’t like anymore.

I’ve simplified history by really looking only at the numbers. I’m sure the decision makers had to take into account laws, resource consents, personal preferences, if the moon was shining and spite BUT that all seems to pale into insignificance with the news that building a stadium in downtown Auckland will now cost between $1.1 and $1.5 billion.

I wonder what Sir Dove-Myer Robinson would make of all this? He was Auckland Mayor twice from 1959-1980 and came up with this crazy idea of a public transport system including overground and underground rail, buses and either a second Harbour Bridge or a tunnel. Fortunately the Government put paid to that harebrained idea and built roads instead. I’m sure all Aucklanders would applaud that decision once more, if they hadn’t had their hands on the steering wheel for two hours, trying to get home from work.

Christchurch, let this tale of woe be a warning to you. Auckland, don’t worry, I’m sure the costs of this stadium will drop soon just like the petrol and house prices. We just have to wait a little bit longer.

An artist’s impression of how Stadium New Zealand would look like for the Rugby World Cup 2011. Never happened, will it ever?

In 2006, the Eden Park Trust Board showed what its redeveloped stadium would look like.

It cost $240 million to redevelop Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Now it needs that much again spent on it, and leading sports do not want to play there.

In 2006, Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard, left, NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs and Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard announce the Waterfront Stadium is the Government’s choice for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The photo on the left shows the planned new...