The Star: November 23, 2017

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday November 23 2017 19
Viewpoint
Sports facility cost creates
a ‘window of opportunity’
WHEN THE new minister,
Hon Megan Woods, contacted
me about the true cost of
proceeding with the early
contractor involvement process
for our long-awaited Metro
Sports Facility, I already knew
that they were going to be
receiving advice along the lines
that they did. And that was $75
million over budget.
I was not at all surprised when
the incoming Government said
‘enough is enough’. I would
too if it were our decision as a
council.
The cost sharing agreement
caps the city’s contribution to
the Metro Sports Facility at $147
million, which is still an eye
watering sum of money.
When the minister said that
it was going to take a few short
months for a build contract to
go to tender, I was really pleased.
For me, this has created a
‘window of opportunity’, where
we as a city can look at what
we really need, and to get the
different sporting codes together
to double-check that what was
driving decisions five years ago
is still relevant today.
No-one will be surprised by
my attitude to this, as I have
always said that a flaw in the
blueprint approach was the
lack of a feedback loop once the
blueprint was announced. It was
as if it was set in stone and yet,
as I said, what may have been
the case five-years ago, may not
be now.
This window of opportunity
will give the city that feedback
loop we have needed and enable
us to think about the different
elements of the Metro Sports
Facility and the multi-use arena,
as well as some of our existing
facilities.
What is the potential, for
example, at the Horncastle
Arena when we build what
would be the largest covered
arena in the country?
Lianne Dalziel
Five years later, should we
revisit some of the co-location
arguments with the relevant
sporting codes at the table?
We have been given this
moment in time where
everything can be examined
without further delays.
What excites me is the
possibility that we could end up
speeding things up and reducing
overall costs, while providing
the city with the sporting and
event infrastructure it needs –
now and for future generations.
That’s the win-win I will be
looking for.
•If you want to ask Ms
Dalziel a question, email
mayor@ccc.govt.nz. Put
Reader’s Question in the
subject line.
•Megan Woods’ column, p20
The $75m budget
blowout for the Metro
Sports Facility, which was
to be built in the area
bordered by Moorhouse
Ave, Stewart, St Asaph and
Antigua Sts, has seen the
Government scrap plans
and head back to the
drawing board
Jane Wilson-Fouracre
– Unbelievable, even after all
this time and money it’s back to
the drawing board. Let’s finally
get a decent sports facility in a
location that is near to transport
links, on decent land and has
space for parking. Only city
in the country that doesn’t
have one . . . and that’s before
earthquakes.
Danielle Ashcroft –
Considering the contractor
prices what is designed,
maybe the design and client
Local
News
Now
Fire rages, homes at at risk
expectations need to be cut
back?
Andrew Bray – Contractors
need to be held more
responsible for things . . . if they
win contracts you should be
working to those requirements,
seems like everything these days
ends up with budget blowouts
Ann Carey – About time,
Convention Centre next, maybe
a review of the university would
open a few eyes.
Bronwyn Charteris –
There are huge problems, as
the land keeps sinking. You’re
pretty much building on an
underground aquifer and the
land is below sea level. There
will be so much water they will
have to be dealing with. They
would have to drill down quite a
way to find solid ground.
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