Editorial: Sports stadium plan is a winner

Priority One Chief Executive Andrew Coker

It has been a long time coming, but at last a proposal for a new sports stadium at Tauranga Domain has been put forward.

The plan, for a boutique sports stadium that will seat 15,000 and be worth about $25 million, has been presented to councillors by Tauranga's Civic Amenities Group.

Baypark Stadium has copped a fair bit of criticism in the past - usually on the grounds that it's actually a speedway in the guise of a rugby ground. This means the closest seat to the action is about 30m away.

And now, after years of discussion, there is hope for an alternative venue.

The idea of a purpose-built outdoor stadium at Blake Park gained real momentum when Noel Pope was mayor, but was shelved when the costs came in and it looked a bridge too far for cost-sensitive ratepayers.

No doubt there will be opposition to this proposal as well, but Tauranga's population base - it is the country's fifth-largest city - suggests it should not be starved of entertainment acts and sporting events.

Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker says it is a fantastic opportunity.

"What I've heard, generally, from elected council members and staff is there's a real willingness to work with the Civic Amenities Group.

"From a Priority One perspective, a stadium is a coming-of-age piece of infrastructure that helps build the vibrancy that makes Tauranga attractive."

I agree with Mr Coker.

The Civic Amenities Group will have done the city a great service if the stadium plan becomes a reality.

It would also offer the added benefit of boosting the fortunes of the CBD.