No more cash to be had from rate-paying golden cow

In keeping with the hallowed tradition vis-a` -vis large construction projects, authorities have clearly and perhaps not surprisingly got the cost sums for the proposed new stadium build wrong, and it looks as if savings might have to be made by having bums on fewer seats.

Such a manoeuvre might not go down well with those who would like to meet the seat numbers required for a viable All Blacks venue on the designated site. The next most obvious thought is to wonder if the local authority will be asked to step further to the mark, so that the associated likely crowd numbers can be met by an injection of more cash from the local purse.

God forbid that the hardpressed citizen be called on yet again to bail out a professional sporting concern. If additional cash is required then why not go either to central government or the banks for it, and then raise the gate fees so that concomitant loans can be met by the supporting fans, but please don’t try to draw more milk from the rate-paying golden cow whose udders are otherwise withered.

John D Mahony, Mt Pleasant

Shortfall no surprise

A budget shortfall for the stadium is not at all surprising in view of the recent well-publicised significant construction cost increases.

But the decision by a majority of Christchurch City Councillors to simply reduce the seating capacity by 5000 is both shortsighted and taking the easy way out.

It appears only five councillors recognised that the 30,000 design seating capacity was arrived at after thorough expert consideration.

Let’s accept the reality that an additional $130 million is required to provide a first-class facility and focus on how to raise the additional money.

The stadium is a regional facility. Accordingly it is entirely appropriate that residents throughout the region should contribute to the cost of this facility.

It is simply not good enough for the outlying district council spokespersons to say “Oh, we haven’t been asked”. Where is the leadership? Let’s get on with it. Stuart McKinlay, Lincoln

Temporary seating

The stadium is a multi-purpose venue, not just a sports arena. Rugby fans shouldn’t feel too hard done by with seated capacity of 25,000-27,500.

Many of us have the option of watching big matches live on TV at pubs and clubs, if not at home, one reason in-person crowds are declining.

Future Covid uncertainty will be another reason, affecting international sports fan travel.

However there is an obvious question.

Given the stadium will have a concrete pad to enable concert setup without damaging the turf, where demand warrants for occasional rugby games why can’t this area be made literally an economy stand with twice the number that would be accommodated by temporary seating?

Lyall Lukey, Kennedys Bush

Bums on seats

Auckland – Eden Park, Dunedin – Forsyth Barr, Wellington – ‘the Cake Tin’, Christchurch – ‘the Cup Cake’.

It’s not about the ‘experience’. It is about bums on seats. No seats, no bums!

Stuart L Bryant, Woolston

All Blacks cost

I was shocked to learn that it would cost $1.2 million for the new stadium to have the All Blacks play there.

Since we are building the stadium more or less for Rugby NZ, I thought they should be paying to use it. Does this mean that if other entertainers want to use the stadium we have to pay them to use it? Maybe we should rethink the whole thing.

Ivor McKay, Upper Riccarton

National team

The All Blacks are our national team, so one must ask why should we as a city have to pay to have them play in Christchurch, irrespective of what size stadium we have. This is exactly why many people are being put off rugby in NZ. If no city pays them to play, what would they do?

Wayne Hawker, Phillipstown (abridged)

Train pain

B.R. Armstrong (July 23) underestimates the logistics of filling a 35,000 seat stadium using trains. A 10-carriage train with 40 metre carriages carries 1000 people.

To deliver 35,000 people in one hour, 35 trains must each disgorge 1000 passengers and clear the siding in 1.72 minutes flat. Impossible!

Philip Rex Robinson, Waltham (abridged)