Cup coup kicks off big plans for hotel

A possible four-star hotel, high-speed broadband and a new-look stadium are set to roll out ahead of Northland hosting pool matches at the Rugby World Cup.
With just over two years before the world's third-largest single-code sporting event kicks off, efforts have turned towards getting the region ready to host the influx of teams and spectators.
Whangarei's upgraded Regional Sports Centre will host Tonga in two games against qualifiers from Oceania and Asia, organisers announced on Thursday.
Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff said the council was very keen to see private companies build a four-star hotel, or better, in the district.
However, he said it all depended on the economic climate.
Mr Semenoff made it clear there were no plans to speed up any projects such as the Hundertwasser Museum.
"We would very much like such a hotel available for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 because the event is a festival, and we need to join in those festivities," Mr Semenoff said. "I hope Whangarei will host a team during the Cup and that our people will adopt that team so it has a memorable stay in New Zealand."
He said Northlanders must ensure overseas visitors spent multiple nights in the region and to relay a great experience to people back home.
Northland Regional Council chief executive Ken Paterson said the Okara Park upgrade, scheduled to be completed by May 2010, and high-speed broadband internet were among issues that would ensure success of the games.
"There's expectation from facilities hosting the games to have the capacity to distribute matches via high-speed broadband and we intend to do just that," Mr Paterson said.
NRC has teamed up with the Government, Auckland-based IT company Kordia, Northpower and Top Energy to provide broadband connection throughout the region.
He said the NRC would work with organisations such as the three district councils and tourism bodies to ensure Northland maximised the benefits of hosting the pool games.
"The regional council also hopes to build a strong relationship with the games' organisers and, with a collaborative and collective approach, make the event a success," Mr Paterson said.
Far North District Council community development manager, James Bews-Hair, said the district had the infrastructure and resources to cope with hosting teams.
"The district's population of around 55,800 peaks at 130,000 plus at peak summer holiday times so the Far North is well-placed to meet significant fluctuations in population size," he said.
A decision on whether the Far North will host teams would be made in December.
Northland Rugby Union chairman, Andrew Golightly, said the decision to award Northland two pool games showed a regional events centre was the way to go.
"At this stage, we still don't know who we're hosting but you've got to say that having Tonga play up here twice in the space of a week will be fantastic."
RWC boss Martin Sneddon said one of the Pacific Island teams always rose to the occasion in every World Cup, as seen during the 2007 tournament when Tonga and then Samoa were unlucky to lose to eventual winners South Africa.
"Whangarei will benefit and so will Northland, because it will draw people to the area, so it will be great for the whole tourism industry."