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Auckland Council is to undertake further public consultation on the future of Auckland's major stadiums as a result of a report prepared by council controlled organisation Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA).

Discussing the report, Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse stated "love them as we do, our major stadiums are not currently working as well as they could for Auckland.

"At the moment, none of the current stadiums fully meet the needs of their key users."

"What we need to do is to meet the needs of the major sports codes and the public into the future while ensuring ratepayers get the best value for their money."

The RFA report aims to take account of the needs of Auckland, major sporting codes and local communities and proposes Eden Park as the primary venue for rugby and cricket with Mount Smart Stadium (pictured) as a base for rugby league.

It suggests the Western Springs speedway explores moving to Mt Smart Stadium while test cricket and local cricket consider Western Springs as a venue long-term.

Mayor Len Brown says he is keeping an open mind on the report, stating "as a Warriors fan, I would like to see Mt Smart stay the home of league. But I do accept Mt Smart needs substantial extra money spent to achieve the right standard and meet the Warriors' expectations. Whatever is ultimately decided, we must find the best balance between the needs of different sports codes and their fans, and the best use of limited ratepayer money."

With the creation of the unitary Auckland Council, the Council became responsible for Mt Smart stadium while Eden Park and North Shore Stadium are managed by Trusts. The report also suggests the RFA works with Eden Park Trust and North Shore Stadium to consider governance arrangements and ways to work together to reduce costs.

However, Harbour Stadium Trust Chairman Reno Wijnstok says Auckland needs variety, not just big stadiums and feels the RFA needs to understand why people don't go to sporting events an issues he feels has been missed by the review

Speaking to Fairfax NZ News, Wijnstok says the report lacks future vision and looks too closely at short-term cost cutting but says the stadium is happy to work collaboratively with other stadiums but has no appetite to "hand over the keys" to someone else.

While the RFA report said North Harbour's facilities are in good condition it added "with the exception of NZ Football no major sporting code indicated a strong preference to use North Harbour as a base or as a preferred venue location."

22nd October 2011 - EDEN PARK PREPARES FOR REPEAT RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL 

17th June 2011 - VENUE FOCUSED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

10th August 2010 - INNOVATIVE EDEN PARK PAVILION LAUNCHED

17th March 2010 - LEISURE AND CULTURE TO MERGE IN AUCKLAND’S NEW ‘SUPER CITY’

16th February 2010 - MT SMART STADIUM 'NOT FOR SALE'

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