KEY POINTS:
Auckland City Mayor John Banks is the first person to go on the record about plans for a $270 million upgrade of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The upgrade is a big step up from the $197 million option at present out to tender to
three construction companies. "There is a commitment towards a legacy project at a cost of $270 million," Mr Banks said.
He was speaking after a meeting with members of the Eden Park Redevelopment Board and the Eden Park Trust Board.
The rugby organisers have refused to release details of the latest plans and costs for upgrading the park to meet the International Rugby Board's requirement of a 60,000-seat stadium for the cup final. Redevelopment board chief executive Adam Feeley was cagey about the design and cost of the stadium, which has been kept from taxpayers and ratepayers who are expected to foot most of the bill.
The Herald understands rugby interests are pushing hard for the public purse to pay most of the costs of the upgrade, while minimising their own financial contribution.
The Rugby Union has agreed to put $10 million into the project and the Eden Park Trust Board is pulling back on a previous promise to put $60 million into the upgrade.
Mr Feeley said neither the final design nor final costing had been agreed to for any of the options.
"It would be very easy to point to certain design features and say they will cost $270 million and we could do variations thereof but there is no option that has been agreed design wise or cost wise," Mr Feeley said.
Asked when the public would see what was planned, the cost and who would pay, Mr Feeley said once an option had been agreed and funding was committed.
Mr Banks said it was possible to fund a $270 million "legacy" option if the Government, Auckland City, the Auckland Regional Council and the trust board came to the party.
He said a council contribution of $20 million would be for infrastructure outside the park.
"I am concerned about the issue of funding ... it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later."
