The Game Future NRL Stadiums part II

[flippikat]

Reminds me a lot of the Perth stadium decision that took decades. Some wanted a redeveloped Subi, some wanted a city stadium, in the end they got it right but geez it took a long time to get there!

Yeah, I really hope Auckland sees sense too. The new Perth stadium looks great!

Aside from the "appeal to tradition" argument & raising questions over a new Quay Park stadium's funding, the most interesting point of difference that Eden Park can put forward is it's proposed post-upgrade 70k capacity versus Quay Park's proposed 55k.

Keep in mind, current Eden Park capacity is 50k standard seating, upgradable to 60k with temporary seats.

I honestly don't know whether the extra 15k between the two proposals is much of a selling point for Eden Park, given that Eden Park really only gets to capacity for sports on the very few times the All Blacks play.

Maybe if they decide on Quay Park, they might determine that it needs to be revised up to 60k so that it meets the current Eden Park (with temporary seats) capacity?

I think that just as important as maximum capacity will be the option(s) around scaling-back seating for mid-low pulling games... a compelling "club mode" for Warriors, Blues, Auckland FC, and Auckland province rugby where crowds that aren't 40k plus are well catered for.

 

[Wb1234]

More on Auckland's looming stadium decision...

'Turn it into a retirement village': Inside the war of words over Eden Park

A battle has broken out between the two stadium visions vying for Auckland's future. Ahead of a crucial decision due in March, Chris Schulz enters the fray.

www.rnz.co.nz

Both cost one billion but one is a brand new build the other lipstick on a pig

Article says Eden park isn’t feasible as a stadium and still owes Auckland council 40 million from a World Cup held there 14 years ago

 

[flippikat]

Both cost one billion but one is a brand new build the other lipstick on a pig

Article says Eden park isn’t feasible as a stadium and still owes Auckland council 40 million from a World Cup held there 14 years ago

Yeah, the World Cup debt is an interesting dimension - the scenario of selling Eden Park land to a developer & clawing back that debt (and then some, I imagine!) will appeal to Auckland Council - and the more land that's "on the block" for sale, the bigger the sale price...

I just hope that if Eden Park is demolished, decent density housing replaces it - it's much needed.

 

[Perth Red]

Yeah, I really hope Auckland sees sense too. The new Perth stadium looks great!

Aside from the "appeal to tradition" argument & raising questions over a new Quay Park stadium's funding, the most interesting point of difference that Eden Park can put forward is it's proposed post-upgrade 70k capacity versus Quay Park's proposed 55k.

Keep in mind, current Eden Park capacity is 50k standard seating, upgradable to 60k with temporary seats.

I honestly don't know whether the extra 15k between the two proposals is much of a selling point for Eden Park, given that Eden Park really only gets to capacity for sports on the very few times the All Blacks play.

Maybe if they decide on Quay Park, they might determine that it needs to be revised up to 60k so that it meets the current Eden Park (with temporary seats) capacity?

I think that just as important as maximum capacity will be the option(s) around scaling-back seating for mid-low pulling games... a compelling "club mode" for Warriors, Blues, Auckland FC, and Auckland province rugby where crowds that aren't 40k plus are well catered for.

That does seem to be an issue that no stadium has yet done anything about. 20-25k in a 60k stadium is pretty crap for atmosphere. Being able to down scale a stadium for clubs remains an enigma for Aus/NZ.

 

[flippikat]

That does seem to be an issue that no stadium has yet done anything about. 20-25k in a 60k stadium is pretty crap for atmosphere. Being able to down scale a stadium for clubs remains an enigma for Aus/NZ.

Precisely!

The Warriors averaged just under 24k last year, so there's certainly scope for 25k-30k club mode.. and on a good season if demand is higher then they could open all OR part of the upper deck.

The curious one is Rugby Union - Super Rugby seems to vary between under 10k for low appeal Aussie teams & just over 20k for some NZ derbies.. and NPC (provincial rugby) even lower.

Will be interesting to see if the Auckland provincial team end up looking for cheaper & more intimate venues if Quay Park goes ahead.

 

[Diesel]

Finally some sensible discussion in NZ about an Auckland stadium. Thanks for the updates @flippikat

 

[flippikat]

Finally some sensible discussion in NZ about an Auckland stadium. Thanks for the updates @flippikat

Cheers - I think the prospect of an entertainment precinct based around the existing indoor arena PLUS a new footy/concerts stadium is pretty exciting for Auckland's CBD.

The bonus of getting more housing from the ex-Eden Park land would be great too - a real opportunity to do suburban intensification well, especially given that's right near the train line.

This could easily turn from just being a stadium project to revitalizing the CBD and suburbs (more residents = more demand for local businesses in the suburbs). Win-win really.