Trust given lease over three years

Blake Park Cricket Oval

Tauranga City Council has granted the Bay Oval Trust a three-year summer lease to use the Blake Park Cricket Oval, with a right of renewal.

The Bay Oval Trust owns and manages the facility's pavilion and structures at the international cricket venue but not the grounds - that is, the wicket, outfields and surrounding grounds.

A long-term lease had not been specifically considered in any previous agreement, apart from a 40-day lease during the 2014-2015 ICC World Cup Cricket matches.

After the World Cup qualifying tournament council sought legal advice on how best to enable agreements between the trust and third parties for use of the grounds.

For future tournaments World Cup organisers wanted to see the grounds come under the control of the trust.

A summer lease from September 1 to April 30 for three years was proposed as the best solution to fulfil the venue requirements by organisations such as NZ Cricket.

On Tuesday Mount Maunganui resident Rob Paterson, who objected to the lease proposal, voiced his concerns to councillors. Mr Paterson argued the trust was not transparent and lacked accountability, and also questioned the popularity of cricket in Tauranga.

"I think spectator-wise it's a dying sport ... it is not a sport on the rise. "

Bay Oval Trust chief executive Kelvin Jones described the lease agreement as a "win-win" situation for all parties involved.

"This is a reasonably unique relationship for hosting cricket matches as only Eden Park and Westpac stadium operate the same way. It's a win-win for the ratepayer as all the risk of the event stays with the Bay Oval Trust. As does most of the development and operational costs of running the oval. Nothing changes in terms of public access or other booking priorities."

Council's Sport and Recreation team leader Joshua Trafford reassured councillors there would be no anticipated impact from the summer lease agreement on potential future user groups.