Cost not only factor in picking race venue, says boat builder

A boat building firm says decisions about where to host the next America’s Cup shouldn’t be driven by cost.

Auckland Council is due to make a tentative decision tomorrow over exactly where the next America’s Cup will be based in Auckland.

The options have been narrowed down to three, with Team New Zealand wanting a 220m, $190 million extension to Halsey Wharf. It says the option would offer a “legacy” venue for marine sporting events but is opposed by environmental groups.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff — who must balance environmental concerns and pressures on council coffers — prefers the cheapest option, a $137m base split across Halsey, Wynyard and Hobson wharves.

But Team New Zealand says that option will disappear after the Cup is over, leaving no legacy for the city. C-tech — the carbon composite manufacturing company that has worked with Team New Zealand for 15 years — says the decision should not be cost-driven. “It would be really nice to have it all in one venue and to have that kind of party atmosphere and have everyone in the same area would be fantastic,” C-Tech’s Alex Vallings said. “But I’m not sure if that’s achievable or not.” The council will make an interim decision on where to put the America’s Cup base tomorrow and will make a final decision on December 14. Aucklanders spoken to by the Herald were excited about the Cup’s potential to bring tourists into the City of Sails.

HWatch the video interview at nzherald.co.nz