The Auckland Stadium Question

Hmmmm. I was not aware that EP was planning to make the field expandable for cricket games. Maybe this is an acceptable outcome in that case. But NZC have got to crack on with finding an appropriate venue for test matches.

Doloras

Hmmmm. I was not aware that EP was planning to make the field expandable for cricket games. Maybe this is an acceptable outcome in that case. But NZC have got to crack on with finding an appropriate venue for test matches.

which will probably end up being CMP - which isn't super bad but it's not as cool as some of the other options.

Auckland doesn’t NEED another big stadium.

no, but the old one does need to be replaced.
much like the one in wellington

Does anyone know where to locate the Eden Park 2.1 promo pack / pdf that they released 12-18 months ago? 

This it?

https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2024/05/20240523_AE_MAT_12492.PDF

Looks like Eden Park's plan is to basically go full oval - 64m boundaries all sides. Then retractable seats inwards for the football codes.

This is a very indepth article from 2023 about Eden Park 2.0
https://www.coliseum-online.com/ambitious-eden-park-2-0-vision-disclosed/

https://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2025/03/20250327_GB_ATT_11284.HTM
Here is the relevant council papers. Both proposals and the council assessment are at the back.

Reading it, I'm not surprised by the decision.  The Quay Park is on land they don't own, requires apartments to be built and sold to fund the stadium, the stadium has low estimated construction costs that have not been checked by  QS, has a risk of port and transport disruption during construction and possibly after, and is proposed by a company that hasn't done this thing before.

That's a lot of risk that either the council/government has to step in, or the project is abandoned and we start again.

I get new stadiums are shiny and exciting, but this seem pretty pie in the sky stuff.

Quay Park is basically a giant property development play.
Sometimes they work out, especially if the property market is running hot when all your new shiny apartments are ready to sell.

Many times it all goes horribly wrong. Rising interest rates, a dropping property market, project delays, unforseen cost blowouts etc. The need to dig under the railway line which doesn't sound like it's been fully costed, screams potential cost blowout.

Talk to any insolvency specialist and likely over half of their book at any time, is failed property developers. Council would have all sorts of trained staff - planners, engineers, property experts etc - spending hours poring over the different proposals. Doesn't really sound like they were hugely impressed with either, and they report that back to the elected representatives. But EP is analysed as the lower risk option, and that's the main reason why sadly the Councillors have gone with it.

If its true that they have chosen EP1 option and that it requires a huge wad of cash from central govt then forget it. Just in case some people havnt noticed the country is in deep financial shiite. Both central and local govts are cost cutting across the board. If there is no money for hospitals or rubbish collection then forget about stadiums. If i was Akld council i would sell EP to retire debt and tell the rugby, league and football codes to use Mt Smart. If its not big enough for the ABs then let them pay for temporary stands on the north end. The days of professional sport using public money is over. NZ is no longer a first world country. Get used to second world facilities.

The council can't sell what it doesn't own.

I didnt know the council does not own EP. Not sure how they will recover their $50 million then. Stadiums are a money sinkhole. I think most Aucklanders would prefer to have the sewerage system fixed so they dont have to close beaches whenever there is heavy rain.

2ndBest

The council can't sell what it doesn't own.

Eden Park makes an operating surplus. Presumably it will increase now they can host more concerts.

coochiee

A roof may mean unrestricted concert type events for EP? 
The max 6 event thing is currently a very major negative.

It won't be an issue. I've been to concerts at Wembley with mother nature insuring the crowd were nice and clean (ie heavy rain).

austin111

I didnt know the council does not own EP. Not sure how they will recover their $50 million then. Stadiums are a money sinkhole. I think most Aucklanders would prefer to have the sewerage system fixed so they dont have to close beaches whenever there is heavy rain.

2ndBest

The council can't sell what it doesn't own.

I was told that the largest problem was with a number of septic tanks and systems not connected to the main sewage system in some areas. 

Not sure how true that is, but it is an explanation for the difficulty in fixing the problem that was given to me. 

Super conflicted. Quay Park would've been awesome. But at the same time, I appreciate the council showing some financial constraint. Long may it continue.

But at the end of the day, everytime I go to Eden Park I'm going to have to sit 50 metres away from the pitch and it's going to make me grumble.

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

Marto

coochiee

A roof may mean unrestricted concert type events for EP? 
The max 6 event thing is currently a very major negative.

It won't be an issue. I've been to concerts at Wembley with mother nature insuring the crowd were nice and clean (ie heavy rain).

I was meaning a roof could mean the lifting of noise restrictions on EP, and so an increase from the current limitation of max 12 concerts per year. But I'm no acoustics engineer.

Though I think putting a roof on is not scheduled until Stage 3 (which may never even happen).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123290359/eden-park-concerts-helen-clark-opposes-home-invasion-of-noise

Probably find half the forum members now live in Auckland 

imanixsupporter

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

AucklandPhoenix

Probably find half the forum members now live in Auckland 

imanixsupporter

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

I think it's because we all know NZ does not have one truly decent stadium currently. 

Dunedin's one only gets mentioned because it has a roof, it's not that great a stadium really. We all know about the cake tin while all the stadiums in Hamilton and Auckland are dated and apart for EP not even fully seated with missing stands etc. As for Christchurch, well it's not open yet so can't comment either way.

Marto

AucklandPhoenix

Probably find half the forum members now live in Auckland 

imanixsupporter

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

I think it's because we all know NZ does not have one truly decent stadium currently. 

Dunedin's one only gets mentioned because it has a roof, it's not that great a stadium really. We all know about the cake tin while all the stadiums in Hamilton and Auckland are dated and apart for EP not even fully seated with missing stands etc. As for Christchurch, well it's not open yet so can't comment either way.

Hamilton has a boutique cricket stadium and nearby a 25k rectangular stadium. They are both fantastic venues and fit for purpose for the sports played and the number of people who attend games. What is your criticism of them? No roof?

Still annoyed that Quay Park gets turned down for having 'optimistic' numbers whereas EP turns up with no numbers ('just trust me we'll get central govt funding') and gets the nod.

Objections/consent requirements might also address congestion, entry and exit, accessibility for residents, not just crowd/artist noise.

coochiee

Marto

coochiee

A roof may mean unrestricted concert type events for EP? 
The max 6 event thing is currently a very major negative.

It won't be an issue. I've been to concerts at Wembley with mother nature insuring the crowd were nice and clean (ie heavy rain).

I was meaning a roof could mean the lifting of noise restrictions on EP, and so an increase from the current limitation of max 12 concerts per year. But I'm no acoustics engineer.

Though I think putting a roof on is not scheduled until Stage 3 (which may never even happen).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123290359/eden-park-concerts-helen-clark-opposes-home-invasion-of-noise

Ponsonby Rugby Club now combining with CRS Records and Eccles Entertainment in a joint bid against Auckland FC for the future of Western Springs. However Ponsonby's proposal to add a multi-sport hub to the musos concert venue is estimated to cost $18 - 20 mill, which they don't have - so will Auck Council give it? I don't think so. Surely the AFC proposal, requiring no public funding, has to be the front runner. May 1st the date for Council consideration.
sauce: today's Herald

Also does Auckland need a music venue at Western Springs?
If AFC leave Penrose for the new WS development, then Mt Smart is free for concert use in the summer months??

Plus if EP 2.0 goes ahead, and all the way to Stage 3 (a roof added), then should be almost unlimited concert/event use at Eden Park?? No noise restrictions if yes still parking, traffic type restrictions to work around.

Problem fixed.
Just recruit Grant Dalton to come in and raise a few hundred million to build Quay Park.

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Nommag

Marto

AucklandPhoenix

Probably find half the forum members now live in Auckland 

imanixsupporter

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

I think it's because we all know NZ does not have one truly decent stadium currently. 

Dunedin's one only gets mentioned because it has a roof, it's not that great a stadium really. We all know about the cake tin while all the stadiums in Hamilton and Auckland are dated and apart for EP not even fully seated with missing stands etc. As for Christchurch, well it's not open yet so can't comment either way.

Hamilton has a boutique cricket stadium and nearby a 25k rectangular stadium. They are both fantastic venues and fit for purpose for the sports played and the number of people who attend games. What is your criticism of them? No roof?

It's in Hamilton (j/k)

theprof

Nommag

Marto

AucklandPhoenix

Probably find half the forum members now live in Auckland 

imanixsupporter

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

I think it's because we all know NZ does not have one truly decent stadium currently. 

Dunedin's one only gets mentioned because it has a roof, it's not that great a stadium really. We all know about the cake tin while all the stadiums in Hamilton and Auckland are dated and apart for EP not even fully seated with missing stands etc. As for Christchurch, well it's not open yet so can't comment either way.

Hamilton has a boutique cricket stadium and nearby a 25k rectangular stadium. They are both fantastic venues and fit for purpose for the sports played and the number of people who attend games. What is your criticism of them? No roof?

It's in Hamilton (j/k)

 yes that's what nommag said, "Hamilton has....." Thanks for confirming. Seddon Park, one of the best cricket venues, has been for years. can't put a roof on it mind

coochiee

Problem fixed.
Just recruit Grant Dalton to come in and raise a few hundred million to build Quay Park.

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Dalton gone; Team NZ gone (from NZ for next America's Cup challenge)
Definition  of 3rd World - a nation that is the holder of the world's oldest sporting trophy but cannot afford to defend that trophy in its own backyard.

Give me a stadium over that rich man sport any day.

Dalton is just a money grub

So you think at the top level football isn't a rich man's sport? Whenever I go Wellington I see kids sailing tiny yachts at Worser Bay. Same here in Auckland at Kohimarama. They probably dream of being sailors for NZ in the Olympics or America's Cup. Just like our junior footballers dream. But unlike football we actually happen to be World Champions in sailing. Which does take money. But we are World Champions...

Was the reference to Kohi, the poorest kids suburb in Auckland?

Kind of sums it up doesnt it?  

Sure the owners of clubs are rich, but on the whole the players when they started kicking the ball around in their back yard, the streets or beach are not. 

That’s the difference between the sports 

Football is working class.

Sailing is not.

Jesus wept. I used to hear this sort of rich man sport v poor man sport in the UK about tennis players. I suppose the same applies here, not only with sailing. There's motor racing of course. And anything to do with horses. Golf? Cricket requires a bit of cash to gear up I believe... skiing... choose your poison.

Buffon II

Football is working class.

Sailing is not.

Turning up to watch your local club from the sidelines on Saturday morning might be working class, but being able to afford a family season pass to the Nix?

I’m not bashing the club here because at professional level it’s a business the owners have invested in. But when a lot of people out there are struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table, we need to be honest that our A-League games are a luxury we’re privileged to enjoy.

So if we can’t have a high-end sporting venue without grubby capitalism, why not go all in and let the private sector carry the risk while ratepayer money goes to the grassroots where it’s most needed? As that newspaper article says, greed is more likely to deliver something than good intentions.

America's Cup isn't even a sport, it's a boat building competition. We are the only country in the world where anybody who isn't a massive sailing enthusiast has even the slightest interest in it.

I also don't consider anything to do with horses or motor vehicles a sport, either. 

Jessie Merino

Jesus wept. I used to hear this sort of rich man sport v poor man sport in the UK about tennis players. I suppose the same applies here, not only with sailing. There's motor racing of course. And anything to do with horses. Golf? Cricket requires a bit of cash to gear up I believe... skiing... choose your poison.

Putting young Joey through years of Football academies dosnt come free and isnt for every household either. 

Nommag

Marto

AucklandPhoenix

Probably find half the forum members now live in Auckland 

imanixsupporter

Again, I'm rather surprised that there is so much investment in the topic of the "main" stadium for Auckland on a Nix forum, when it looks like there's a really good chance that there is going to be a boutique purpose built football stadium for Auckland FC at Western Springs. If that comes to fruition, it is only going to be really big football games happening at Eden Park (or Mt Smart), and for those the atmosphere and experience is perfectly fine. 

I think it's because we all know NZ does not have one truly decent stadium currently. 

Dunedin's one only gets mentioned because it has a roof, it's not that great a stadium really. We all know about the cake tin while all the stadiums in Hamilton and Auckland are dated and apart for EP not even fully seated with missing stands etc. As for Christchurch, well it's not open yet so can't comment either way.

Hamilton has a boutique cricket stadium and nearby a 25k rectangular stadium. They are both fantastic venues and fit for purpose for the sports played and the number of people who attend games. What is your criticism of them? No roof?

As a boy from the Tron I love Seddon Park and while Waikato Stadium is probably NZs best rectangular stadium, it’s very dated compared to similar sized stadiums overseas. For a start the old stand has lots of impaired viewing angles from the roof supports. 

I couldn’t care less for a roof having been to AB and Olympic football games with it closed in Cardiff. Only benefit is the noise that it creates when full. A vibe you’d never get in NZ at a rugby game.

Buffon II

Football is working class.

Sailing is not.

I was freaked out when I started playing cricket again how there's still a class thing in that sport that doesn't exist in football. Like, people sneering at you because you went to a state school (didn't happen to me, reported to me from one of the fancier clubs)

coochiee

Problem fixed.
Just recruit Grant Dalton to come in and raise a few hundred million to build Quay Park.

WhatsApp Image 2025-04-01 at 05.37.02_a8982ce7.jpg 473.64 KB

It's always Twickenham that gets brought up as evidence that the location of EP somehow isn't cooked.

I went walking alongside the Thames quite a few times. Forget the stadium, I could never find Twickenham.