Video puts America’s Cup village into perspective
An animated video by a company which has made cutting- edge America’s Cup graphics i s giving decision- makers and the public a sneak preview of facilities for Team New Zealand’s 2021 defence.
Dunedin- based Animation Research Ltd yesterday released a video, showing what the landscape of Auckland Harbour would look like if the America’s Cup village and facilities were built on the western and eastern sides of Wynyard Wharf and land called “site 18”.
“We have the boats at the right sizes, sitting where they would be in 2021. The cranes are there, the people are there. Now people know what it i s we’re discussing,” ARL chief executive Ian Taylor said.
Auckland Council last week voted to support a proposal for a cluster of bases across Wynyard, Halsey and Hobson wharves as its preferred option for where to site Cup facilities and infrastructure.
The Government has site proposals to consider, with a final option expected to be put forward for resource consent in January. Whatever option is proposed it will need to begin the consent process shortly if it is to be ready for the 2021 regatta.
The video was ARL’s initiative. The firm created a similar waterfront animation to illustrate a proposed re- development of Otago Harbour, and that inspired the creation of the new video.
Taylor said he had followed the debate in Auckland about where to build America’s Cup bases, and felt that people were commenting without having seen what was proposed.
“I rang Team New Zealand and said, ‘ We should do what we did in Dunedin. Why don’t we build the whole thing and show people what it is that everyone is talking about and debating?’
“This i sn’t just the venue, this shows the superyacht marinas, it shows the media centre, it shows the America’s Cup village, it shows what we know happens at one of these things because we ( ARL) have done every one since 1992,” Taylor said.
“Now at least if you agree or disagree, you know what you are agreeing or disagreeing about, everything in there is correct.”
Taylor said his firm made the video because the America’s Cup was more than a boat race being staged in Auckland.
“They won a technology race,” he said.
Media reports last weekend speculated the cup regatta might be shifted overseas, but Team New Zealand’s major sponsor Emirates yesterday said it was certain New Zealand would host the event.