I'M not particularly sports-minded, but if I was to throw my 10 cents' worth into the opinion pool around getting an all-weather artificial turf and lighting for night games at Memorial Park, I would argue it's a winner on all levels.
Masterton is certainly no metropolis, and I don't think you could ever accuse the town of punching way above its weight. It is, realistically, not in the 'glamour' sector of Wairarapa. But it has, lately, been delivering some good hits, and I am starting to feel the town is becoming a place where big things happen, or can happen.
Making sports glamorous, attractive and a better spectator experience is a big, big plus for any town. I've watched huge crowds turn out for night games in Wellington and Porirua - and that's just college rugby. There's something about a night game, under lights, with everyone feeling good after a warm dinner and ready for an evening's entertainment. First XV groupies of girls hang breathlessly around the changing rooms, and year-13 boys stride out like All Blacks.
Better grounds also mean prestige for a town, and the chance of famous visitors. Using Porirua's Trust Park as an example, I've seen International Sevens, All Blacks and Hurricanes train there, because the ground is so good.
So, two concepts certainly hold true. The movie quote, 'Build it and they will come', is definitely true. But so is the proven formula that people will attend evening/night games over weekend games. It was depressing, a couple of weekends ago when I was photographing Tui Cup rugby, to see how few people there were in the stands on a Saturday at 2pm. I overheard someone remark that takings would be so slim the ball boys would miss out.
I guess because we have more sophisticated evening entertainment on TV these days, our culture is used to our evenings being entertaining. So why not a Friday night game, rather than Saturday?
I can't blame the Masterton council for being cautious with their possible contribution - over half a mill - because it is for sport, and not every ratepayer is interested in sport. There's also the matter of the public quick to try to draw any loose comparison on 'chequebook democracy', following the cemetery gates decision.
But I believe night games are of enormous social benefit to towns. It is a big ask, money-wise, but I think it's worth it.