Stop the Stadium

Media Release, Scoop, 28 Oct 2008

The Otago Stadium - Coming To A Town Near You

The Otago Stadium is coming to a town near you, with representatives touring Otago during November to meet the community and provide an update on the new multipurpose, fully roofed Stadium for the South of the Waitaki….

Events will be held on the following dates and locations:
• Oamaru, 3 November, Waitaki Boys’ High School Auditorium
• Wanaka, 4 November, Wanaka Centre
• Alexandra, 5 November, The Cellar Door Restaurant
• Balclutha, 10 November, South Otago Town and Country Club
• Roxburgh, 11 November, Memorial Hall
• Queenstown, 12 November, Queenstown Memorial Hall.

For each event, doors open at 6:30pm and presentations begin at 7:00pm. The format is: a welcome by local dignitary, presentations from the Otago Stadium representatives followed by a question and answer session. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the event.

» Read more…

Press Release: Carisbrook Stadium Trust, 22 Sep 2008

A model of the new Otago Stadium will shortly go on public display showing the latest designs for the new multipurpose venue and surrounding developments.

Stadium Development Director Darren Burden said the physical model gave a fantastic sense of the space and volume of the facility which paper plans could not easily convey.

“Once people see the model in three dimensions they get a clear sense of just how good it will be.

Located in a fantastic harbour setting, the model shows what an impressive venue it is.

» Read more…

DCC Website, 28 August 2008

On 30 June 2008, the DCC approved the payment of deposits on the leases and land in Awatea and Parry Streets required for the proposed stadium, associated University buildings and the realignment of State Highway 88.

Settlement of five purchases occurred on 31 July 2008.  Further settlements will occur on 31 October 2008 and 31 October 2009.

The payments were for a mixture of freehold title, ground leases, tenancy terminations and relocation costs.

About two thirds of the land will be used directly for stadium purposes and about one third will be used for University purposes, open plaza space and the realignment of State Highway 88.  It is expected that there will also be some land available for resale or development in support of the purposes defined in the change proposed for the district plan.

» Read more here…

» Related item: Excess Land Purchased Around Stadium Site, Channel 9 news, 28 August 2008

Media release, University of Otago website, Tuesday 18 March 2008

The University of Otago is delighted by the news that the stadium project is to go ahead.

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg says international experience has shown that the most successful universities tend to be based in vibrant cities with strong economic activity, in areas of natural beauty and with effective and committed political leadership.

“The fact that the decision to proceed with this project was supported by such a large majority (12 to 2) of city councillors shows that the leaders of our community are determined that the future of Dunedin should be at least as illustrious as its past.

Media release, University of Otago website, Friday 14 March 2008

The University of Otago today reiterated its commitment as a partner in the Carisbrook Stadium project. The University’s involvement would be in the form of multi-purpose facilities up to 13,400m2 at the west end of the stadium, fronting an urban plaza.

Vice-Chancellor Professor David Skegg says he is impressed by the work of the Carisbrook Stadium Trust to date.

“The University of Otago remains committed to being a partner in this exciting project, and I hope that the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Regional Council will support it. If our University is to be able to continue attracting the best students and staff, it must have its main campus in a vibrant city. A multi-purpose stadium complex will be a wonderful enhancement for Dunedin.

» Read more…

Stop the Stadium media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday 8 August 2008

Stop the Stadium says that Otago Regional Councillors did not receive vital information about the proposed Awatea Street Stadium before voting $37.5 million of public money towards the project.

Stop the Stadium President Bev Butler says Otago Regional Councillors did not receive or directly consider the peer reviews which contained vital information about the stadium project.

The peer reviews, originally prepared for the Dunedin City Council, are independent, professional reports on the new stadium proposal, and the only means available to the public to have confidence that current costings are accurate.

Consultants Davis Langdon, one of the main peer reviewers, noted that much of the requested documentation from the Carisbrook Stadium Trust had not been received, and expressed concern at the “magnitude of the exclusions” in the CST cost estimates.

Ms Butler says after repeated attempts to get information from the Otago Regional Council, she approached the Omsbudsmen’s Office, whose investigations confirmed that no information on peer reviews was given to ORC councillors.

Ms Butler says when making a major decision to spend enormous amounts of public money, it is essential decision makers receive crucial information, and Stop the Stadium were very concerned that this had not happened in this case.

Stop the Stadium is a Dunedin-based campaign group to stop the proposed public funding of the Awatea Street Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand

ENDS

For more information, or to receive copies of documentation, contact Stop the Stadium President Bev Butler on (03) 4776861 or email president@stopthestadium.org.nz

Stop the Stadium, the campaign group and incorporated society working to stop the proposed public funding of the Awatea Street Stadium, is holding a protest march and rally in Dunedin on Saturday 2 August at 12 noon.

The march will meet outside the Dental School on the corner of Frederick and Great King Street and proceed along George Street to the Octagon where there will be a rally with speakers.

Stop the Stadium President Bev Butler says the group has tapped into a groundswell of public concern with membership now exceeding 500 after only a few weeks of the group coming into existence.

“This march is an opportunity for all people opposed to public funding of the Awatea Street Stadium to show their public support for our cause and to pass a clear message to our local representatives.”

Ms Butler says the march and rally will build on the momentum of last week’s public meeting attended by 220 people at a packed Burns Hall, and the closing of submissions against the Dunedin City Council district plan changes.

Stop the Stadium, the campaign group and incorporated society working to stop the proposed public funding of the Awatea Street Stadium, is holding its first public meeting at Burns Hall, First Church, Dunedin on Tuesday 22 July at 7.30pm.

Stop the Stadium President Bev Butler says the group has experienced rapid growth in membership over the last two weeks with a positive reaction to the campaign around the greater Dunedin area.

“We feel we have tapped into a deep sense of disquiet and concern local citizens have about the use of public money and public debt to fund the Stadium.”

Ms Butler says the speakers at the public meeting give an indication of the broad nature of the opposition to public funding of the Stadium, which had brought together diverse people who shared common concerns.

Guest speakers at the public meeting will include Dr Rob Hamlin of the University of Otago, Otago Regional Councillor Gerry Eckhoff, with representatives of Stop the Stadium speaking being Bev Butler, Victor Billot, Peter Entwisle and Elizabeth Kerr.

Ms Butler says the key goal of the meeting will be to explain to people how they can get involved and make a difference.

“There is a false impression that the public money for the Stadium is a done deal, but the next month or two will be a critical period to get involved and stop the process in its tracks.”

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