Tim Calder

In what seems to be a very positive move the Carisbrook Stadium Trust is proposing a change to the district plan which would allow them to rezone the land at Awatea Street from Industrial to Campus Zoning. This would allow the trust to further the stadium development and transform this derelict land into a vibrant, functional, and enjoyable area. This news has aggravated the ‘Stop the Stadium group’ as they are seeking to encourage their members to make submissions to the Environment Court against the change in order to delay the process. Not only is this an irresponsible move, it could potentially delay the completion of the stadium which is only just on target to be ready by the 2011 Rugby World Cup. This delay would also end up costing the city more as construction would be put on hold until the appeals have been considered and ruling is made.

A new Anti-Progress Group, vehemently named “Stop the Stadium“, has formed against the proposed multi-purpose stadium in Dunedin. It is such a pity that these few people cannot see past their own lifetimes and self importance to view this development as what it should be; a 50 year vision. Local Dunedin TV station Channel 9 is running the story tonight as this topic continues to create a stir in the community. Channel 9 is also running a series called ‘The Great Stadium Debate’, designed to help inform the people of Dunedin about the proposed stadium and the controversy surrounding it. I took part in the second episode of the series, sharing my views as a current student at the University of Otago, and debating against three true “antis” (who were clearly blind to the benefits this stadium would bring to the city and instead, only managing to focus on the cost). I sincerely have no problem with people having negative views on the stadium proposal, my only gripe is when they decide to knock the project without being fully informed first, as if they were, they would find that all their concerns have already been addressed. I firmly believe this is the best solution for Dunedin and challenge those who oppose to try and come up with something better.

In the presentation before the ORC hearing the CST produced further designs for the new Stadium. In yesterdays ODT article it suggested that these designs better highlight the multi-purpose flexibility of the Stadium. This is vital as the greatest reservation the antis have against the stadium is that it is not multi-purpose. Clearly the pictures in the ODT article and on the CST website show the significant capabilities of this new stadium to be used for a range of sports. Right now there is a lot of opportunity for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the progress of this project and start to think about sporting, musical, and theatrical events that could be organised and promoted at this unique, roofed venue.

The Otago Regional Council has just approved the $37.4M! (with some conditions). This means that both councils have now committed funds to the Stadium totalling $122.4M. I really feel for these supportive councilors who have to make the best decisions they can with hundreds of negative, miss-informed people jeering at them. I don’t think a process like this very fair on our region and city representatives who have a very large, important decision to make. I am very pleased that at the end of the day common sense prevailed.

The Otago Regional Council have a big decision to make today which is whether they support, and will contribute to the new multi purposed Stadium. The ORC have been asked by the Carisbrook Stadium Trust for $37.4M which as Stephen Cairns said is “the largest amount the ORC has ever been asked for”. Is was good to hear that after the supporters abysmal turnout at the submission process that mistake was remedied by the overwhelming response to the ‘Show of Support email to Stephen Cairns‘ campaign whereby 200+ emails were sent. The Stadium Rates Impact was produced by the Otago Daily Times which shows the different rates that would be imposed by the Dunedin City and Regional Councils.

The Carisbrook Stadium Trust is now beginning the process of re-zoning the land where they plan to build the new multi-purpose stadium. This is going to be an arduous task which will hopefully go though without any appeals being lodged with the Environment Court. If appeals are lodged this would mean that the stadium construction could be delayed which means that the stadium would not be ready for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The land will need to be re-zoned from an industrial zone to campus zone so that the stadium can be built.

On the 3rd of April the first seats, corporate boxes, and lounges for the new stadium go on sale at the Town Hall. This is an exclusive offering to the Our Statium Supporters club, Dunedin Club, and Chamber of Commerce members. This will be an excellent event for those wishing to get a good deal on the first offering of stadium products. I am currently working with Darren Burden on providing a package for Alumni of Otago University whereby they could get preferential booking rights to lounge and corporate seats for all the big events.

Todays Otago Daily Times unofficial poll of public opinion about the councils decision of support was again dominated by the noisy minority. I personally think that the negative people that calls these polls are the ones with no jobs at home with nothing else to do. It took us (the supportive) a prompting to actually make the call to show our support. The one thing that I was extremely encouraged about though was that, more than often, negative journalist David Loughrey wrote a surprisingly positive article EVEN THOUGH THE POLL WENT AGAINST US! 

The council have made the decision (12-2 in support) to continue with the development of the new Stadium. Fantastic news!