Time to move on now, but what about climate change?
The community was consulted on the building of a covered stadium. Of those who bothered to respond, 77% said let’s get on with it now. Yes, the number of respondents represents a minority of ratepayers, but every current councillor won their seat in a minority turnout. Does that invalidate their election?
I doubt the three councillors who voted against the motion would believe so!
The community has spoken, the council elected by that community debated the matter in public and then made its decision. Time to move on.
Peter John, Northwood
Vibrant city
To those who are not sportsinclined may I point out that there are many of us who are not ardent followers of opera/classical music/ballet, not swimmers or attendees at conferences, no longer in need of playgrounds, but willing, through our rates, to support our lovely Town Hall and other amenities that go to make a vibrant city for future generations. Norma Powell, Heathcote Valley
For young and old
Congratulations to the Christchurch City Council for the decision to press on with building a covered arena for its citizens, both young and old.
The naysayers have lambasted the rugby fraternity long enough as it is not only for rugby but is a multi-purpose arena that will bring both sporting fixtures and entertainment back to our fair city.
I’m sure our hospitality and tourist businesses will be heartened by the decision.
Bill McElhinney, Halswell
Dead rat
That Lianne Dalziel and councillors had to swallow a juicy dead rat in a Crusaders jersey over this stadium issue is all too plain.
The abject lack of leadership to make a difference will be their enduring legacy as all residents pay through their rates and rentals for the dubious privilege of 10 Crusaders games per annum, the odd All Blacks test, a concert or two and so-called e-Games.
That the noisy and wellorganised minority in town get what they want and all of us chip in is not so much an imposition as a dereliction of moral code. Where is the response to climate change, poverty, homelessness, and infrastructure repairs?
This was perfectly illustrated when the Hospitality Association representative took it upon himself to massacre John Lennon’s anthem towards a better world, Imagine, in the cause of something as unaffordable and provincially insignificant as a football park. He may be sued for a lack of class and taste, let alone copyright.
That the mayor found the performance in any way entertaining or convincing is an indication of how low this debate has sunk.
Steve Thomas, North Beach
Who speaks?
Ok, stadium done and dusted. A few points about Thursday’s council meeting.
Firstly, with 25% calling for a pause or stop, why were the only people from the community speaking in favour at the CCC meeting? Where was the voice of those concerned about cost-benefit ratios and what kind of contingency is being built into price.
Secondly, I was appalled at the mockery of John Lennon’s song, calling us to live in a world of peace and love beyond borders, possessions and religions that divide. Not funny.
Rosemary Neave, Redcliffs
Corporate boxes
A sincere thanks to councillors Melanie Coker, Sara Templeton and Celeste Donovan, who voted for the future rather than taking the politically easy option of going with an unaffordable stadium.
Meanwhile, I haven’t seen any justification to have 23 corporate boxes in the proposed new arena. A huge cost saving could be made, without the need for structural changes, by eliminating this feature, which simply emphasises Christchurch’s deep social divisions.
Or are the corporate boxes an essential feature of this venture, where those ‘‘business leaders’’ who refuse to put their hands in their pockets gain the most benefit from the biggest public spend in Christchurch history?
John Minto, Waltham
Climate emergency
In May 2019, our city council declared a climate emergency. Mayor Dalziel said: ‘‘Ironically the costs will only increase if we don’t take action now. For every $1 invested in resilience, there is a return of between $4 and $10,’’ she said. ‘‘In other words there is a financial cost, so if we don’t invest now, we are simply deferring what will be a significantly greater cost in the medium term.’’
How times change! Now the council is committed to spending the city’s fortunes on a project which will not increase the city’s income, but will tax the citizens more. The providers of accommodation, and retail at the stadium, will make plenty.
Worst of all, the construction and running of the stadium will create record emissions, to say nothing of those caused by the wealthy audiences who will drive their gas guzzlers throughout the country to get here, and those who will fly from other countries.
So Christchurch is taking action now to increase the climate emergency.
Juliet Adams, Lyttelton
Great, but cruel
It’s great news for the stadium, but it’s cruel to expect the elderly and pensioners on tight budgets to pay extra rates to help pay for it. We can’t, let the highly-paid sportspeople pay for it. Plus we have a very good entertainment place for shows, the Addington stadium.
A McDowall, Wigram
Bravery
The upside of the stadium fiasco is that it brought to light three outstanding councillors.
Sara Templeton, Melanie Coker and Celeste Donovan did what we hope true leaders will do. They studied the evidence, they saw through the phony claims of the vested interests, they resisted the media pressure and they acted in the best interests of the wider city.
There is still integrity in the body politic.
Thank you Sara, Melanie and Celeste.
Susan Wauchop, Ilam