Stadium built without basic facilities

Construction continues on the new Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Dunedin's new World Cup stadium will need a "seven-figure" funding boost after it was revealed the original budget did not account for basics such as kitchens, turnstiles and scoreboards.

But the man in charge of operating Forsyth Barr Stadium said there would be no calls on ratepayers for help.

Instead, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive David Davies said he was confident he could "get it right" through negotiations with businesses that would win contracts for aspects of the operation, and through funding from trusts.

"There will be people saying it's not what I thought I'd be getting for my money, unless we get some of these features.

"It will be bereft of the technology and comfort people expect to see."

Mr Davies said aspects of the facility, kitchen fit-outs, turnstiles, scoreboards and replay screens were "not in the base build" and the final figure to pay for all he required would be seven figures.

Asked about the issue, Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said last night that he accepted any funding from trusts or other providers would mean other organisations could miss out. That included the Otago Youth Wellness Trust, of which he was chairman. "That's the way life is, I suppose."

In 2008, three peer reviews were ordered by the Dunedin City Council to give councillors an independent assessment of the trust's work.

One of those, by company Davis Langdon, said a kitchen fit-out, broadcasting facilities, electronic turnstiles, scoreboards and replay screens were excluded from the budget.

Another issue that emerged more recently was the possible use of GrassMaster, a plastic thread that could be inserted in the turf, around which the roots of natural grass would grow.

Costing about $700,000, it would allow the stadium to be used for up to 90 games a year rather than the 30-35 that grass alone could take.

Asked for an update on those issues, Mr Davies said the kitchen fit-out was "something on our hit list".

He said there was no detailed design for the kitchens, so DVML was putting the issue to the market, and seven companies had indicated interest in the contract or contracts.

That level of interest was "more than ever before", and a good result. He believed the contracts, when completed, would achieve both the desired level of customer expectation, and the economic returns forecast.

Mr Davies said broadcasting requirements would not require any outlay as the base fit-out for the stadium met broadcasters' needs.

He did not expect turnstiles to be needed. "The fashion in the past was solid turnstiles, but in new builds in Europe and North America, they are moving away from that to hand-held scanners. These were not part of the stadium budget, but were being negotiated as part of the ticketing deal.

He said the base build did not include a scoreboard or replay screen, but DVML was negotiating with companies to establish a price, and looking for funding. He was "pretty confident" of success.

He had not given up on building more toilets in the west stand. If punters bought a ticket for the west stand, they should have a toilet in the west stand, he said.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES