Mayor’s casting vote needed to move stadium project forward

Saturday, 16 November 2024

An artist's impression of Aorangi Stadium in the future.

Timaru’s councillors have voted to build a new eight court indoor sports stadium at Aorangi Park, while retaining and earthquake strengthening the existing Aorangi Stadium.

But Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen had to use his casting vote to move the project to the next stage, with the motion to accept the tender tied four-all.

Bowen, deputy mayor Scott Shannon and councillors Peter Burt and Owen Jackson voted for the project, while councillors Allan Booth, Gavin Oliver, Stu Piddington and Michelle Pye voted against.

Councillors Stacey Scott and Sally Parker did not vote.

The council’s chief executive Nigel Trainor was also not present, and five councillors attended the meeting via Zoom.

Aorangi Stadium in Timaru as it is today.

The meeting was public-excluded, with the council revealing the decision in a press release.

During the meeting, councillors gave the task of designing and building the new eight court indoor sports stadium to South Canterbury company Thompson Construction and Engineering.

They also voted to explore options to retain Aorangi Stadium (commonly known as the Southern Trust Events Centre), and undertake earthquake strengthening where required.

Detailed design work would now be undertaken on the concept, with the aim to begin earthworks in 2025.

The budget for the stadium in the Long-Term Plan was $22.2 million.

Bowen said in the economic climate he felt it was important for the local economy to get on with the project.

The neball courts at Aorangi Park in February.

“There’s been years of consultation and work undertaken on this project when it was first mooted in the 2021-31 Long-Term Plan,’’ he said.

“As the tender was in scope and in budget, and we’ve had clear support from the public and stakeholders through multiple consultations, I thought that now was the time just to get on with the project.’’

He said it was great to be able to award the major construction contract to a South Canterbury company.

“We’ll be able to deliver a great new facility for the thousands that use it each year.’’

He also felt it was important to explore ways in which the council could continue to use the existing stadium, which “as a multi-purpose arena is one of the few large events spaces in the district’’.

“By retaining and strengthening the existing events centre, we will be able to attract large events that bring significant economic benefits to the district, while still offering significant capacity for sports use in the new stadium.’’

He said while there may have been some disagreement around the table around the details of it, “I think as a council we’re united in wanting to deliver an excellent facility for the community’’.