Eden Park's capacity would lift to 60,000 under the 2.1 vision.
Eden Park's capacity would lift to 60,000 under the 2.1 vision.
The contest between Eden Park and Te Tōangaroa to be Auckland’s “Main Stadium” will continue into next year.
Both proposals, likely to cost more than $1 billion, will report to the council with final feasibility studies by February 4.
Te Tōangaroa faces stakeholder approvals and height restrictions; Eden Park’s main hurdle is funding.
The contest to be crowned Auckland’s “Main Stadium” looks set to drag well into next year.
The Eden Park Trust, and backers of the Te Tōangaroa bid for a stadium precinct in Auckland’s Quay Park, have given council officers progress reports on their plans and promisedto provide final feasibility studies by February 4.
Eden Park 2.1 involves increasing the stadium’s capacity to 60,000, a retractable roof, a new north stand, upgrades to two other grandstands, and a pedestrian promenade to Sandringham Rd.
Te Tōangaroa is more ambitious and includes a 50,000-seat stadium that can be scaled down to 20,000 capacity for smaller events as the centrepiece for the redevelopment of Quay Park with up to four hotels, hospitality, scope for 2000 apartments, and commercial offices.
Rather than facing inwards like many stadia, Te Tōangaroa looks out towards the Waitematā Harbour featuring an “accordion” style retractable roof with an iconic look that designers hope in time could become Auckland’s equivalent of the Sydney Opera House.
An artist's impression of the proposed Te Tōangaroa stadium.
Both plans are awe-inspiring and the costs are in the eye-watering $1 billion-plus region with Mayor Wayne Brown making it clear the winning option will come at “no cost to ratepayers”.
The process to resolve what a multi-purpose “main stadium” would look like for Auckland started in July last year when Brown set up a political working group, which called for interested parties to put up proposals.
On May 30 this year, councillors voted to proceed with Eden Park and Te Tōangaroa and gave their backers six months to complete feasibility studies.
Two other short-listed proposals – a stadium and entertainment precinct at Wynyard Point, and a fully enclosed stadium sunk into the Waitematā Harbour – did not make the final cut.
In a memo to councillors on December 5, council officers said the two front-runners intend to provide final feasibility studies by February 4.
A summary of the progress reports says:
The view out on to the Waitematā Harbour from inside the proposed Downtown stadium at Auckland's Quay Park. Image / Artist's impression
Te Tōangaroa/Quay Park
No impediments, and confidence about the feasibility of their proposal.
Continuing discussions with potential investors, and bringing an international sports and entertainment corporation on board.
Met with key stakeholders, including KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Port of Auckland.
Spoken with the landowner Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, who is willing to negotiate over building on the land.
Eden Park's big plans involves three new stadiums. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Eden Park
Preparing an application under the Government’s fast-track legislation that passed this week.
The role of Eden Park in Auckland’s broader stadium network, and working together on things like turf management, catering, personnel and security, will be a central element of the feasibility study.
Requested clarification on several questions about the evaluation criteria, which have been provided.
Both proposals face significant hurdles.
Te Tōangaroa requires the approval of multiple stakeholders, has issues building over the rail network, faces height restrictions imposed by the volcanic view shaft from the museum to Rangitoto, and commercial negotiations with Ngāti Whātua.
Eden Park’s biggest hurdle is funding. The park is benefiting from holding concerts and notched up a healthy operating profit this year, but has been dependent on the public purse for maintenance and upgrades, and owes $54 million to the council. Brown has ruled out any funding for Eden Park 2.1, and the Government is cutting costs on projects like Dunedin Hospital.
Both parties are effusive about their plans.
A report is also being done on Auckland's existing stadiums, including Go Media Stadium at Mt Smart. Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
Former Warriors chief executive Jim Doyle, who heads the Te Tōangaroa consortium, told theHerald in February the stadium would be a game-changer.
“The stadium represents the very best of who we are as New Zealand and Aotearoa. But more than that, this is transformation on a global scale. It’s not just a stadium, it’s an entire precinct. The economic development it creates will be massive and is going to drive a significant difference to the city and the country.”
Speaking after the council decision in May, Eden Park chief executive Nick Saunter said: “Our focus is continuing to deliver world-class events now and into the future while also creating a truly multi-purpose hybrid stadium, which we’re calling Eden Park 2.1: Our Future Covered, that builds on what we already have – a highly utilised globally iconic stadium with a rich 120-year history.”
The memo to councillors said officers are also preparing an assessment of the status quo, including an analysis of the current state of the stadium network and planned investment.
This assessment and the final feasibility studies are expected to go to councillors in March.
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