The future of international cricket in Auckland

[lord_of_darkness]

well the goddamn land rates are so high they should use a bit of that.. suck in some overseas investors.. use some of that excess government budget..

im pretty sure north shore city council has a budget surplus aswell + use our growing land rates and what not.. the albany region is developing rapidly and im pretty sure business etc will prosper there in a few years.. redeveloping North Harbour stadium right now is essential while there is so much land available and time available for a good plan that meets the requirements of a 20-25+ year in conjunction with the growth around that area + N.Shore area in general + rest of auckland.

By the way i also forgot to mention public transport + private transport coming out from West Auckland and area around there abouts can use the redeveloped western highway that connects N.Shore with W.Auckland as an alternative route.. so traffic is evenly distributed

 

[Dick Rockett]

My apologies to any Aucklanders here, but what a load of crap.

If the government is seriously considering spending $700m on the stadium and another $150m on land aquisition and "relocation", then I'm absolutely dumbfounded.

This is a stadium that will essentially only need to exist for a few 80 minute games of rugby - no other sport, or indeed rugby itself, will benefit from this after the event. After all, Eden Park is a perfectly acceptable venue now. Not ideal, but acceptable.

I can't believe that the government of this country is considering stumping up so much cash when they have been telling us here in Wellington (and I want to stress that this is only an example) for decades that the Transmission Gully highway, a vital piece of infrastructure of ongoing importance to our region, is too expensive. It will cost around $900m-$1b.

I'm sure there are plenty of other projects around the country, not to mention such obvious needs as health and education, that could much more worthily account for that sort of cash.

 

[Sir Redman]

I was about to dig this thread up but you beat me to it Ed.

Anyway, I'm really sitting on the fence on this one. On the one hand, it's ridiculous that such a huge investment would only be used for such a narrow range of things. On the other hand, it's ridiculous that the largest city in the country has no decent stadiums.

Most of all though, I'm quite perplexed as to why I still haven't seen a word about what would happen to international cricket here.

 

[Sir Redman]

Eden Park should be converted into a full fledged concert venue + International Soccer Venue + Full fledged Soccer venue to develop NZ Soccer.. that circus tent 'super top' as a concert venue is a joke!!

Isn't the new Vector Arena a concert venue? I don't know how many it holds, but I was under the impression that it's a genuinely big concert venue.

North Harbour stadium should be redeveloped to be a full purpose cricket stadium + North Harbour NPC + few super 12 games + Few Rugby league games + Knights Soccer League + Capacity to hold International Rugby games.

The problem with having soccer and rugby on the same ground is that the seasons overlap and the rugby games turn the field into a mess which makes it impossible to play soccer on.

Regarding Transportation to N.Harbour Stadium.. the new busways are being developed on the motorway to allow buses to run direct from city to albany + other places on the shore directly, which would make trasportation a little efficient.. this would allow them to restrict parking all around the stadium and subsidize transport on matchdays to allow everyone to catch the bus etc..
Alternative route is on matchdays ferries should become more available from City to Devonport and buses could take people from there to Harbour stadium.. this would increase income for the growing local industry around the North Shore region aswell.
Otherwise there is a lot of land being developed around the N.Harbour stadium area..and cars can easily get a parking spot..
For everyone coming from the city they would use the motorway to access N.Harbour stadium via public transport/private transport..
Everyone coming from around N.Shore region could either use the motorway or use public transport/private transport that uses the Old Albany highway..

I think the problem will still be that the motorway will get choked up. And if the waterfront stadium does get built then I'm still not entirely sure as to where parking will be.

 

[_Ed_]

Isn't the new Vector Arena a concert venue? I don't know how many it holds, but I was under the impression that it's a genuinely big concert venue.

It is, but it was meant to open in March 2005.

I think the problem will still be that the motorway will get choked up. And if the waterfront stadium does get built then I'm still not entirely sure as to where parking will be.

Most supporters of the waterfront stadium say that since games will be played at night people can just park where commuters park during the day. I wonder where that is...

They say the fact that it's close to Britomart makes it perfect, but since trains only go to South and West Auckland from Britomart (no trains on the North Shore AT ALL) I fail to see how the majority of people attending events there will use the public transport system.

 

[lord_of_darkness]

^ Exactly right.. parking wise the new waterfront stadium is the worst to get to!!..

however ED.. we do have the new busway from the north shore, which goes directly to the britomart.. so really the transportation from the shore is no biggie as long as everyone keeps their carks parked in the garage..people from south, west , east can either catch the britomart train or catch the bus.. to get to the new stadium..

Isn't the new Vector Arena a concert venue? I don't know how many it holds, but I was under the impression that it's a genuinely big concert venue.

that was such a waste of money.. and its no where ready yet..

The problem with having soccer and rugby on the same ground is that the seasons overlap and the rugby games turn the field into a mess which makes it impossible to play soccer on.

Well thats how it is right now so there is no major problems with the ground.. if the aussies can do it why cant we..
I was going to say relocate the Knights to Eden park (converting it to a soccer ground only) but i was being selfish and didnt want the Knights to move from N.Harbour however pathetic they might be

 

[lord_of_darkness]

bump*

 

[Matt52]

I suppose this reason , against the waterfront stadium is not really sports related, But can you imagine walking along next to the britomart or the ferry building on the Auckland waterfront and NOT being able to see Rangitoto, because there is a huge stadium in the way. I think its the most innapropriate spot for the stadium.

I was originally in favour of it but, now I am not so sure.

So, I propose another place, the councillor for Auckland, cant remember his name mentioned that Carlaw Park would be a better place and I think the government should pull out all the stops to secure Carlaw park. Its a s close to the city as the waterfront stadium, but it doesnt destroy the view of the waterfront.

As for the home of Auckland cricket, God only knows. It might end up being North Harbour stadium, simply because they have nowhere else to go.

 

[_Ed_]

STADIUM NEW ZEALAND:

Costs:
• $377m Stadium
• Up to $120m piling and platform
• Port compensation - undetermined and to be negotiated.

Funding:
Balance of construction costs after:
• $40-50m ACC
• $30m Rugby NZ 2011 Ltd
• $69m Sponsorship/corporate sales
• $50m Lotteries Commission
• $20m ASB Trust Grant

Construction Times:
Earliest possible commencement date: At the completion of 50% of piling and platform (between May and December 2007)
Latest possible commencement date: December 2007
Construction time: 3 years

Hours:
Standard 5 and a half day construction period. Could readily be escalated to 24/7 for some phases.

Frequency:
Usable for rugby, league, one-day cricket, trade fairs, concerts and exhibitions.
No material limits on hours of operation.

No mention of tests though...

 

[Matt52]

Interesting reading.

"Auckland Cricket insists it will not be looking for a new home, despite comments from the city's Mayor that if a proposed waterfront Stadium goes ahead, Eden Park will be demolished.

Chairman Brent King says he is disappointed at the thought of Eden Park not hosting the Rugby World Cup Final, but says it could have a silver lining for Auckland Cricket.

He says the new Stadium would eliminate the current clashes that occur between rugby and cricket. King says there is no need to find a new home for Auckland Cricket as Eden Park is freehold property, and privately owned, so comes under the jurisdiction of a Board of Trustees.

He says the Trustees are responsible for acting in the best interests of Auckland Cricket and Auckland Rugby. He adds that for more than 100 years the Trustees have provided the services Eden Park offer at no cost to the Auckland public.

Eden Park Trust Board CEO John Alexander says he is not planning on shutting the ground down if the waterfront gets the go-ahead, and says turning Eden Park into a fully operational cricket ground is one option..

Alexander says that is sure to be discussed with the various parties. He has also confirmed they will be investigating the possibility of attracting other sports aside from rugby and cricket, if the waterfront takes rugby."

Source: Newstalk ZB.

could it be true or am I dreaming..................

 

[Matt52]

Bump.......... Another article today with the chairman of Auckland cricket saying that quote, " A REDUCED" Eden park could become the home of Auckland domestic cricket after 2011. He might be talking rubbish and the economics of it might be difficult to sustain but he would have more information about it than us... might be a chance of a proper purpose built cricket venue in Eden park.

 

[thedarkmullet]

Cricket in the summer, Aussie Rules in the winter.....problem solved for Eden Park

 

[Craig]

No mention of tests though...

New Zealand doesn't do Test cricket anymore you fool!

 

[_Ed_]

Bump.......... Another article today with the chairman of Auckland cricket saying that quote, " A REDUCED" Eden park could become the home of Auckland domestic cricket after 2011. He might be talking rubbish and the economics of it might be difficult to sustain but he would have more information about it than us... might be a chance of a proper purpose built cricket venue in Eden park.

That would be good, but if they do anything they will be required to increase the field size...the only thing that lets them still hold matches there is that the stadium was built before the field-size regulations were introduced. Will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[_Ed_]

New Zealand doesn't do Test cricket anymore you fool!

Good point that.

 

[Dick Rockett]

It seems that Eden Park will win out after all. Aucklanders for the most part are against the waterfront proposal. Pretty much the only real advocate now is Trevor Mallard, who is a bull-headed rugby lunatic who doesn't see the conflict between his party's ideals and his desire to pander to an elitist sport that he personally adores.

 

[Smudge]

Rugby is elitist? What?

 

[_Ed_]

It seems that Eden Park will win out after all. Aucklanders for the most part are against the waterfront proposal. Pretty much the only real advocate now is Trevor Mallard, who is a bull-headed rugby lunatic who doesn't see the conflict between his party's ideals and his desire to pander to an elitist sport that he personally adores.

IMO, strictly in terms of the RWC final, Eden Park would be the worst choice. Having caught a train back to Britomart from Kingsland after an ODI with a crowd of about 23,000, I have absolutely no idea how the large number of the 60,000 who would attend the final will fit on that little platform.

It was pretty crowded even going back after a day of the test v WI this year!

 

[crickhowell]

A wee while ago Eden Park trustees actually said they could build Temporary stands to the IRB's requirements which would make a lot more sense because there is no way that a 60,000 seater stadium is efficient. Mallard and his left wing (yeah right) cohorts say that a stadium will help the economy, bull****, a study published in the highly respected economic journal The American Economic Review says that the economic benefits of a stadium itself on an economy are minimal to nil, the economic boost is from hosting a tournament. This will be doubly true of Auckland because they have struggled to fill even Eden Park for international rugby matches the last couple of years, how are they going to fill a ground twice the size? The only time that the ground would get a full capacity would be for major international sports events, which bar the 2011 world cup, will not happen for a Loooooooooooooooooooong time if ever. To top that off, apparently The right idiot Trevor Mallard has a copy of this article yet is still going on about the long term economic benefits of the stadium. There is however a short term benefit.

The fact is that this stadium is only going to be used 15-20 times a year and all will be small crowds considering the size thats being proposed. This whole issue is the government trying to win more votes in 2008 by being "the government that brought you the world cup" and that Helen Clark's electoral office is across the road from Eden Park and she also lives nearby and will not be able to stand the noise. Let's put those temporary seats in at EP and develop the outer ground at Albany for cricket. No city in New Zealand, even Auckland needs a 60,000 seater stadium, most of the people that live there are on low wages with big families and cannot currently afford to go to an All Blacks game at Eden Park, and the ticket prices at "Stadium New Zealand" or as I will call it if built "The Farce That Helen Built" will be higher. It will always be cheaper to sit at home with your mates or down at the pub with your choice of beer, not just DB or Tui.

 

[Dick Rockett]

Rugby is elitist? What?

Whoops, probably should have been a bit more specific on that one. Professional rugby, and more accurately the national side, is elitist. The way the union puts the ABs on a pedestal - particularly in their dealings with the media - is pretty uppity, imo.

Anyway, this thread is supposed to be about cricket, so just thought I would also comment that I'm glad that cricket is now being thought of in the whole stadium debate.