Sports centre on last lap

The last hurdle blocking the construction of a $49.5 million indoor sports centre in Wellington has been cleared.

The Cobham Park project could be up and running by Christmas next year as eastern suburbs resident Mike Mellor has withdrawn his Environment Court appeal after striking a deal on Thursday with Wellington City Council.

His appeal was the last barrier blocking construction of the 12-court facility. Mr Mellor was concerned that the centre would make Kilbirnie roads, particularly Cobham Drive, more dangerous.

"We have been able to identify some pragmatic measures to reduce the likely traffic problems that the stadium will generate, improve pedestrian and cyclist convenience and safety, and to encourage users of the stadium to use sustainable transport modes."

Both parties refused to give details of the new conditions which had been filed with the Environment Court. The court is expected to issue its decision this week.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast said the withdrawal of the appeal was "fantastic news".

"I'm delighted the prospect of a costly and time-consuming court case will soon be behind us and we will be able to get on with building this much needed facility."

Work would not start until after winter, she said. "If we were to start in September or October this year, we would be looking at hopefully Christmas 2010, or early in 2011, for it to open."

The council had not decided when it would put the work out for tender. Mr Mellor's appeal was the second that the council had to deal with after the Environment Court gave its initial resource consent approval in January.

Rebel councillor Andy Foster withdrew his appeal in April after an independent review found that a centre on Cobham Park would cost $23.5m less than one he wanted on the Westpac Stadium concourse.

Mr Foster expected that the court would approve the Cobham Park facility, and that councillors would reconfirm funding for the project.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First