By KEVIN TAYLOR
Hamilton will finally get its long-awaited new stadium.
After four years of controversy and collapsed proposals, work will start on transforming Rugby Park and the adjoining WestpacTrust Park cricket ground.
On Saturday, the Hamilton City Council voted 7-4 to release $9 million for the $28 million twin project.
Rugby Park will
be rebuilt for $25.7 million, raising capacity from 20,000 to 27,000. A new grandstand, terraces and embankments will be built and a replay screen and lights added.
In the $2.5 million upgrade at WestpacTrust Park, the turf will be lowered and the dirt excavated will be used to raise the height of embankments. Lights will be installed for day-night games.
Construction should be finished late next August.
Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Gary Dawson said the council approval was great news.
"It has been a long time coming - four years," he said.
Although delays in getting final approval meant that Hamilton might miss out on hosting next year's first-round NPC games, he said the main thing was that it was finally being built.
Waikato Stadium Trust chairman David Braithwaite said he was still hopeful of raising another $1.5 million to upgrade the existing rugby grandstand.
The money was offered by Trust Waikato, a community funding agency, in exchange for naming rights to the stadium. However, the council and WEL Energy Trust rejected selling naming rights.
"It has been a challenging project, but nothing worth achieving is easy," Mr Braithwaite said.
Hamilton mayor Russ Rimmington said the stadium trust had been ready to give up if the council had not given approval.
"It has certainly been torture for many leaders and persons in the community."
The main backers are the council ($9 million), WEL Energy Trust ($6.1 million) and Trust Waikato ($7.5 million).
The project was plagued by political bickering as the stadium trust tried to secure funding.
Stadium opponents on the council fought against the project to the end, despite knowing they did not have the numbers to block funding.
Councillor Garry Mallett said ratepayers were having their money plundered to satisfy interests of rowdy, well-connected people.
Mr Rimmington said the stadium itself would be debt-free although the council's contribution would be borrowed.
The twin-stadium proposal came along after a $43 million Tainui stadium plan collapsed a year ago. The troubled tribe has no involvement in the latest project.
A sod-turning ceremony will be held on Wednesday at Rugby Park. Holman Construction will be on site by next Monday.
