World Cup lure compelling

A looming Rugby World Cup deadline has pushed the Nelson City Council into opting for a $7 million upgrade of Trafalgar Park, which ratepayers will fund if the proposal goes ahead.

The aim is to make the ground an attractive host venue for the 2011 cup, and for cultural and sporting events beyond that time.

On Thursday the council threw out a more ambitious $20 million upgrade in favour of the cheaper option.

The decision was reached after serious questions were raised about Thursday's decision-making process and the lack of any firm idea of local economic spin-off.

Crs Derek Shaw and Denise Henigan said the decision was made without evidence of any economic benefit to Nelson from hosting a world cup event.

However, Cr Aldo Miccio, who has been a main driver of the proposal, said outside the meeting that based on an estimated $507 million boost to the country's economy from the 2011 tournament, a region like Nelson should reap close to $10 million.

He added that while rugby officials were hesitant to say which regions might host games, the personal feedback so far was that Nelson was likely to get "one or two".

Cr Pete Rainey said further delays to the council process now meant Nelson was likely to miss out entirely. Cr Gail Collingwood said the option presented a "sensible, conservative way to upgrade the park".

A concept will be drawn up for public consultation, using some of the $800,000 set aside specifically for the task in this year's annual plan. A late amendment to the original recommendation will invite input from consultants working on the central city strategy.

Under the preferred $7 million option, the main field would be shifted closer to an upgraded pavilion, the cycle track would go and the turf would be given a much-needed upgrade.

The work would include new lighting and demolition of the eastern stand - which drew opposition from some councillors on Thursday.

Getting rid of the grandstand would make way for new temporary seating to the east and south, and relocation of the present boundary.

Almost $2 million would be spent on a new pavilion and toilet block, but neither option included the cost of temporary seating, which would be an event cost rather than a council cost.

The $25,000 council-commissioned report presented to councillors by senior designer Tonia Williams, of Auckland engineering firm Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner, steered a recommendation towards the $7 million option.

The $20 million option that was tabled offered opportunities for the council to rezone land and create a large commercial zone to the south of the park. Deputy Mayor Rachel Reese challenged councillors to consider it as a long-term option.

"We have to be careful we don't make a decision now that leaves us wondering in a few years what we did," she said.

"Option one is safe, but it may not be the best in the long-term."

Ms Williams described Trafalgar Park as a "fantastic location", unrivalled nationally and even around the world in terms of its proximity to the city and transport networks.

She said that notwithstanding the Rugby World Cup, the park was "really in need of an upgrade" to provide a modern venue for the city and the region.

The turf was often not playable, lighting was not up to scratch for television broadcasts, the public turnstiles were inadequate, and the eastern grandstand no longer complied with a variety of standards.

Cr Rainey said the park's surface was the "most pressing issue". It needed to be upgraded to encourage wider use beyond rugby.

Cr Miccio said Thursday's decision presented no risk, and opened the way for "full and proper debate" at a meeting scheduled for October.

He said the cup event was an opportunity to invest in a much-needed general upgrade.

"The land will always be used to stage events, and it will have to be brought up to standard.

"The world cup has given us an opportunity where we can leave a lasting legacy for the next 50 years," said Cr Miccio.

There was opportunity beyond the cup tournament to develop public-private partnerships to fund further development of Trafalgar Park, he said. 

PUBLIC REACTION
The Nelson Mail asks four Nelson people if they support the proposed $7 million upgrade of Trafalgar Park:

``If it's going to bring in money from the world cup, then good, but I play rugby, and I'm not sure it's worth spending more, having just upgraded the park.''
Mackenzie Archibald

``No. I think the money should be spent on Saxton Field. It's time we got a sports complex that will house everything, including rugby.''
Paul Stephens

``I don't know if the cost is justified for the long term benefit of the region. I'd like to see more figures over what it might do for the region, but look at what happened with Lansdowne Park in Blenheim.''
Bryce MacDonald

``No, not if it means a rates increase. I went to a rugby game there some time ago, and the venue was terrible  there were no facilities, but I think the money could be spent on better things.''
Izzy Andrews

 

- © Fairfax NZ News