Astro Turf Lobbying

Well I must be a bit thick then.

Would you mind going really slow and explaining to me in a much detail as you can how the pitches are currently being badly utilised and what you think should be done differently.

Because if you are right you can save us all a lot of angst which would be super.

Go for a drive around district. How many grounds have been sitting idle since August of last year (not being used for summer sport), eg Petone Mem, Fraser park, Awaikawarangi, Hutt Park

Emailed all the councillors - as they all care about tax $$ i reckon we just keep reminding them of the windfall that having 10 odd home games a year for the nix brings in mega dollars to the city - if they don't take measures to protect the current support/help grow it by offering an outlet for fans to play then they may lose the nix altogether...

Also does anyone know why rugby subs are so much cheaper than football?

Nightz - so basically you're suggesting moving all Wellington kids football to summer in the Hutt Valley?

To be fair I think that kind of solution is already being considered. Capital Football has been signalling for ages that people are going to have to be more flexible about when and where they play, including the possibility of expanding the season into the summer months, and needing to travel more to get to games. Most of the resistance to that will probably come from the clubs, parents and players themselves in reality.

Your suggestion is definitely something to be looked at but at the end of the day artificial surfaces have to be part of a long term solution to Wellington's ground issues. There is basically nowhere to build new grounds in Wellington City, and the ones we've got turn to mud with the slightest bit of rain. That it always be a problem even if you can find ways to better manage them. Converting a modest number of those grounds to artificial can't do any harm. It would also open up so many more opportunities to actually grow the game rather than just manage it at current levels.

terminator_x2009-02-21 09:59:50

just have a read of today's sport bit in the dom Post and your answer is there. The Union hands out its surplus every year to clubs. Plus, rugby Clubs have more members -every team has 20 guys rather than footie teams with 15 or 16, which spreads the fixed costs

Just read through this thread and catching up on this issue. I have just moved back to Wellington after being involved in planning community facilities for Brisbane City. I am convinced artificial turf is a must for Wellington and I think the cost may actually be far less than some people expect.

Early in 2008 I visited a few US stadiums with artifical turf. I was impressed with the field turf at Qwest Field in Seattle (the home of the Seattle Sounders MLS club).

Recent studies on artificial turf show that although there is a high initial installation cost that annual maintenance costs per hour of use are far less. add on to this the reliability in wellingtons weather I think they would be a real improvement to the community infrastructure. As for the comment from the councillor asking if we would be happy to pay the full cost? I would like to ask if other sports pay the full costs of playing on thier surface?

I also see that CF are advertising girls only leagues in the U6 - U12 age grades on the new Nairnville surface this winter.

What a great idea and a great use of that space.

I fully support the construction of artifical pitches and have emailed both Wgtn and Hutt Valley councils/mayors.

Unfortunately the horse has bolted, with the white flag being waived: http://www.soccer.org.nz/index.php?page=lobbying  

gutted, had a feeling they'd come up with the "financial environment" excuse........what they dont seem to realise is that they are redtircting future income from all the kids wanting to join clubs who now can't because there isn't the grounds for them to play on. dumb!