Vision for new indoor arena revealed as mayors push ahead with plan
Tuesday, 29 August 2017
Wellington's regional mayors have expressed a 'strong preference' for a new 10,000-seat indoor arena to be built near Westpac Stadium.
It is hoped the proposed arena would attract big-name entertainers who have until now shunned the capital in favour of Auckland's Spark Arena (12,000 seats) and Christchurch's Horncastle Arena (8800 seats).
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda) has been enlisted to carry out a feasibility study scrutinising design, location, cost and funding options, after a meeting of mayors on Tuesday.
Wellington Mayor Justin Lester estimated it would cost between $130 million and $180m to build, with $60m already set aside for the project in Wellington City Council's Long-Term Plan.
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The venue would have a 10,000-seat capacity, with the option to extend to 12,000 when necessary. A timeline on when it could be up and running was not known, but Wreda has been asked to report back 'as soon as possible'.
Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Milford agreed a new venue near Westpac Stadium was the best option.
'If we don't have these facilities, the shows, the performances, the sporting events, whatever it is, then we can't benefit as a city and all of the things that fall out of that.
'It's obviously got to be multi-functional, it's got to be at a transport hub … so ideally, it should be in the vicinity of where the stadium is.'
The biggest barrier would be cost, as the land would need to be acquired or development rights secured.
Lester said: 'One other option we could look at is Petone, but there are two options close to the stadium – and they would be everyone's preferred options A and B – and option C would be Petone.'
If the proposal gets the go-ahead, the venue would eclipse the 5600-capacity of TSB Bank Arena on the Wellington waterfront.
'A major new arena will be a big boost for Wellington and help us attract even more international acts,' Lester said.
Concert promoter Phil Sprey felt sure the venue would fill a gap in the market.
One only had to look at the names headlining Spark and Horncastle arenas to get an idea of the calibre of performers Wellington was missing out on, he said. 'That's everybody from Justin Bieber to Andre Rieu, and Disney on Ice.'
Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy agreed the region has suffered as a result of not having a decent-sized indoor venue.
'Since 2012, the revenue from live performances in New Zealand has grown by nearly 100 per cent.
'A new arena will help our region get its share of this growing industry, which will mean more money and more jobs, as well as more options for concertgoers.'
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said a new arena would have positive implications for tourism.
'Bigger events will mean more guest nights and more tourism spending.
'This isn't just a win for concertgoers, this is a boost for economic development.'
Private-sector investors and support from other councils in the Wellington region will be needed if the project is to get across the line.
'It won't cost ratepayers above and beyond what we've already budgeted, so long as we've get those partnerships secured,' Lester said.
The region's ratepayers pay more than $2m a year for a Westpac Stadium levy. With that due to finish in the coming months, Lester was in favour of repurposing it to help pay for the indoor venue.
'I think that makes good, logical sense.'