A $100m plan to lure top rock acts

Money-spinning rock concerts could be lured to Wellington by a proposed arena above the Westpac Stadium concourse that could cost about $100 million.

A review of the city's event venues commissioned by Wellington City Council said the capital had missed out on millions of dollars in revenue because it lacked a mid-sized indoor concert venue.

The 5000-capacity TSB Bank Arena is the biggest indoor venue in Wellington. But major international acts, such as Stevie Wonder and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, have given it a wide berth in favour of Auckland's 12,000-seater Vector Arena.

Concert promoter Phil Sprey said Wellington had missed out on visits by rock superstars for years. "The main reason is we don't have an inside venue of about 10,000 capacity."

The viability of concerts was about economy of scale, he said. "When artists perform, they perform for a fee and that does not automatically get scaled to the size of the venue."

As an example, he said he brought Elton John to the Vector Arena this year but it would not have been viable for him to play at Wellington's TSB Bank Arena. "Tickets would have cost about $600 a seat, which is just ridiculous."

A mid-sized arena in Wellington would create a "natural circuit" with the 8500-capacity Westpac Arena in Christchurch, and the Vector Arena in Auckland. "That would appeal to big acts coming to New Zealand."

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast said a 10,000-seat arena would be a regional facility and could therefore attract funding from other councils in the area, as well as from Greater Wellington regional council.

"Wellington, and the region, is missing out on events. This means we are losing the opportunity to gain significant economic impact."

She believed an arena would ideally be built above the stadium concourse, or on nearby waterfront land.

It could come under the management of Westpac Stadium.

A second report would be commissioned to look in detail at the cost, viability and possible sites for a 10,000-seat arena.

A concert arena of that size was expected to cost about $100 million.

The worsening economy has meant the council has looked to cut or defer some of its planned projects as a way to keep future rates increases to the level of inflation.

But Ms Prendergast said she supported further planning work being done on the arena because there would be "a clear economic return to the region, and the city".

The rock venue is a separate proposal to the $50 million indoor community sports centre in Kilbirnie, which has been agreed to by the council.

Submissions on the sports centre closed last month and an independent commissioner will now consider the evidence at a hearing before deciding whether to approve or decline the proposal.

MISSING A BEAT: 

Here are some of the big acts Wellington missed out on recently for lack of a big enough venue:

Stevie Wonder

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Foo Fighters

Rod Stewart

Matchbox 20

Acts going to Auckland but not Wellington:

Kylie Minogue

Billy Joel

- © Fairfax NZ News