Alternative Wellington Stadium

I know what he meant but don't agree with him or you. Location is one aspect out of many (like some of the things I mentioned) but not critical. If a club relies on a walk up croud to be sustainable, they should shut up shop now.

That's us though!

So unless we double our season ticket sales, we shouldn't bother extending the license past next season?

What ground do you prefer for home games, Westpac Stadium or Hutt Rec?

Hutt Rec because it was something different.

Did you enjoy the Hutt Rec experience? If so, why?

Yes, closer to the pitch/players so gave a different perspective.

Would you like to see more games scheduled at Hutt Rec?

Yes, it's fine as is for 2-3 games a season. For something more permanent Wellington weather probably requires covered seating, and it would need improved (and increased) toilet facilities.

Was transport and access an issue at Hutt Rec?

No issue personally. I live in Johnsonville and prefer to drive into town for the games and park nearby (Stout Street for $5 usually). So I still drove and the journey may have taken a few minutes longer but it was no issue. Parking was easy for $10 at the local school, although more expensive than in town so if it was more regular I may work out a cheaper (or free) option within walking distance.

Should Wellington have its own dedicated boutique football only venue?

Definitely should have a boutique rectangular stadium, doesn't necessarily have to be only for football.

Do you prefer a stadium in the city or the suburbs?

Don't really mind personally, but in the city may be easier for some people who rely on public transport and more likely to get the walk up croud.

If Wellington Phoenix was to have its own venue where would be the most appropriate place to locate it?

Current location is ideal.

I thought walk ups were those that never buy a ticket in advance but make a decision and buy at the gate on game day

Nah gotcha, misunderstanding, my bad.

Which is us as a rule isn't it?

Was this covered in the podcast with Domey- the number of walk ups as a proportion of croud attedance?

What ground do you prefer for home games, Westpac Stadium or Hutt Rec?

Westpac

Did you enjoy the Hutt Rec experience? If so, why?

Not really.  It was good was sitting closer to the pitch and having a pub just across the road.  But otherwise I can't say I enjoyed it that much (design of stands weren't great [although probably appropriate given it was temporary], no roof meaning a lack of atmosphere, potential death from angry vendors & light fittings). 

Would you like to see more games scheduled at Hutt Rec?

No.  Not without improvements to the stadium itself.

Was transport and access an issue at Hutt Rec?

I live Johnsonville way so transport is more difficult than it being in the city.  In saying that the 4kings bus was pretty awesome.

Should Wellington have its own dedicated boutique football only venue?

We need a rectangular stadium of some sort.  Ideally just for football but that might not be commercially viable.

Do you prefer a stadium in the city or the suburbs?

In the city.

If Wellington Phoenix was to have its own venue where would be the most appropriate place to locate it?

Pretty much where Westpac stadium is now.

Missing the crucial factor here though - cost of venue hire. If it's cheaper then same croud number = more profit. 

On the cheap - 

'Terrace Standing Slammed

A $2.57 million project which created elevated standing room for events at Western Springs Stadium is still facing criticism.

In an era when nearly all major stadiums have been converted to seating for both customer comfort and safety you have to ask about a major section of terracing that is set up for large numbers of people standing," Councillor John Watson says.

Work on terracing finished late February.

The project was paid for by council group Regional Facilities Auckland.

An RFA spokesman says the project aims to create a safer space for event-goers.

"Historically the embankment has accommodated over 14,000 people at major events on uneven and very steep slopes. The terracing now provides capacity for those people to stand on level ground. 

The project over ran by $70,000 because of RFA adding artificial turf to the terracing, saying it's safer than natural turf.

Part of the master-plan for Western Springs includes reshaping it for international test cricket

RFA also plans to move a number of buildings at the stadium "to provide as more pleasant park-like setting" for events.

"If Auckland is to continue attracting those high profile events then its stadium complexes need to be developed in such a manner that makes it attractive to those hirers."

- Auckland Central Leader, April 17.

What ground do you prefer for home games, Westpac Stadium or Hutt Rec?

Hutt Rec @ Wetpac

Did you enjoy the Hutt Rec experience? If so, why?

Yes.  Clearly there are some drawbacks that would be resolved in a permanent facility of similar size but it as a 'draft' vercion it resolved most of the issues with Westpac. 

Would you like to see more games scheduled at Hutt Rec?

Unsure.  Venue, yes.  A more permanent solution would be needed rather than the 'draft' stadium.

Was transport and access an issue at Hutt Rec?

No.  Drove.  Parked very close.  Live in the Hutt anyway.

Should Wellington have its own dedicated boutique football only venue?

Yes.

Do you prefer a stadium in the city or the suburbs?

City (although the Petone plan had merit)

If Wellington Phoenix was to have its own venue where would be the most appropriate place to locate it?

For ease of access the ideal would be in the vicinity of Westpac.  Be it north of Westpac, East of Westpac.  With transport hubbing to a location in the city it is very hard to come up with another option that would remain viable.

If that is not an option the Petone rec would have been ideal.  It is just a shame that that proposal was not managed in a fashion that made it viable.

Wot u think of the "new" Springs ^  News?

Would have been great if the Nimbys hadn't already destroyed Speedway to the point where they are happy to go to Mt. Smart.

I would miss the grass banks though.  Used to watch concerts over that back fence.

I would totally love to see next year's Auckland Nix game at Western Springs.

I would totally love to see next year's two "home and away" games at Hutt Rec

That would be a great venue.  Is it on Ramsay Street?

Next best would be Mt Thomas...

Time for some new thoughts on the Stadi-hmmm?

Hypothetically the stadium is not fit for the weekend, that would suggest it could be fairly serious and possibly out of action for at least the season. What is a suitable replacement, that is available, if that is the case.

Play the football at the Basin Reserve (which has been cleared) and move the first class cricket elsewhere.

Hutt Rec again?  At least they'll have until Jan to plan it.

If there's damage to a few facades around town then enough scafolding might be hard to get.

With our evening games the lighting situation will have to be better than last time there.

I would be surprised if there is serious damage to the stadium.

I was surprised.

Hutt Rec - yeah baby!!!

Maybe the damage to the stadium is so bad it will need to be demolished and rebuilt as a rectangular one.

Sounds like superficial damage only. An earthquake of that size and location shouldn't be causing major structural damage to the stadium. We can and will get far larger quakes.

Yep, there is no way that the Hutt Rec will be an option.  The club cricket people were seriously pissed off last time at losing their ground.  But they put up with it because the reason why Westpac Stadium was unavailable for us was because of cricket world cup.

They are not going to wear it this time

Its stupid how theres two oval stadiums in Wellington, just convert the Basin into something small that resembles a proper football ground (rectangle). Would satisfy both football and rugby supporters and move the bigger games to Westpac

Don't even think about making the basin a rectangle.  That is blasphemy.

Basin has too many problems for parking and access, it's okay for small cricket crowds and the odd one off event but every second week would be too much, the locals are also opposed to lights being put in.

If either stadium needs to be clobbered and made a rectangle it's Westpac.  Not the basin.

Alright case closed then, as I said before, 2 oval stadiums.. We just need one more to match the number of rectangle stadiums in Auckland.

We don't have much history - but we do have The Basin. And bugger all else (in a Wellington sporting venue sense of course).

If only, I live in hope and lose those friggen yellow seats that make it look even more empty than it is.