The Star: June 14, 2018

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday June 14 2018 25
Opinion
•Have your say on the stadium issue, email your views
to bridget.rutherford@starmedia.kiwi
Readers respond to Star
Media chairman Nick
Smith’s column last week
about his views on the
city’s stadium debate,
its cost, who stands to
benefit most, and who
should pay for it. His
column can be read at
www.star.kiwi
Cynthia Johnson – We
have to have a new stadium and
one with a roof on it. This is our
chance to get our rebuild done
right and a roofed stadium is the
way to go.
The insurance has been paid
out on Lancaster Park and the
Government has given our city
council $300 million to do as it
wishes. So let’s get on with the
building of our new stadium. We
are missing too many sporting
events and concerts, which
means our hospitality businesses
CONCEPT: Star Media chairman Nick Smith (inset) gave his views on plans for a new
stadium in Christchurch.
are suffering. It’s insulting that
Christchurch, which is the third
biggest city in New Zealand (just
behind Wellington), is dithering
over this. No doubt there will
be whiners twittering on about
the ratepayers having to pay for
this so called white elephant.
Well, I am a ratepayer and I
don’t use the library, swimming
pools and cycleways, but I am
not complaining about my rates
being spent on these things.
Everyone has their own interests
and passions; Christchurch
is a big city and should have
the infrastructure to cater to
everyone. And it’s also the
right of the sporting and music
fraternity to have their interests
catered to. Nick Smith seems
to be biased towards Dunedin.
Trouble is Dunedin hasn’t the
accommodation to cater to a
lot of out of town visitors and
Christchurch is three times the
size of Dunedin, so not having
a top notch stadium would be a
disgrace and insult to our city.
Tim Smith – I have just read
the article in The Star by Nick
Smith, chairman of Star Media,
regarding the stadium debate.
There are certain aspects
of his views I find curious.
While the rationale behind the
rugby options and concerts
was interesting, the clearer
conclusion was that, somehow,
he thinks Dunedin should have
the monopoly on sporting events
due to its covered stadium and
that Christchurch could settle for
the concerts as the other venue.
I note with interest that he
was chairman of CTV and that
February 22, 2011, still haunts
him (unsurprisingly). However,
to seriously consider that his
suggestion of venue sharing
is an option beggars belief.
Firstly, the capital spend and
project identification process for
Christchurch is exclusively about
Christchurch. This is not about
Dunedin. I for one am getting
somewhat irked by references to
some South Island sharing entity.
Secondly, with more than
three times the population and
an international airport, does
Mr Smith honestly think that
ratepayers are satisfied with the
status quo?
I can inform him that the
populace up here would not
tolerate not having a sporting
stadium for premier sporting
events. Has he been to AMI
Stadium in Addington lately?
•Turn to page 26
IS BACK FOR A 5 th YEAR
The Christchurch Art Show is back for a fifth year on the 22nd – 24th
of June, at the Events Centre, The Wigram Air Force Museum of NZ!
This is a great
chance to get out
in the middle of
winter to view
and purchase a
wonderful variety
of artwork.
Opening Night
is Thursday 21st
June, 7pm. This
is the exclusive
opportunity to preview the exhibition. Ten
signature artworks have been created for The
Lawson’s Dry Hills People’s Choice Award
2018. These artists are, Marie Kjestrup Evans,
Joel Hart, Yana Meech, Deborah Fuller,
Susan Hurrell Fieldes, Odelle Morshuis,
Liz Turnbull, Esther Dexter, Lisa Grennell,
Janyne Fletcher. Their works are available to
see on the award wall, where you can vote for
your favourite.
Show days are 22nd June to 24 June.
Cantabrians can visit the South Island’s
largest art show and buy original quality
artworks from established and emergent
artists. All works are for sale, once purchased
you can take your art home with you to enjoy.
There is a wide range of styles and mediums.
Artists from all over New Zealand are present
to talk directly with the public about their
arts practices.
Saturday 23rd June
from 5pm – 8pm,
night market
food trucks will
be parking up at
The Christchurch
Art Show to offer
something delicious
to visitors.
Don’t miss out –
this show is well worth a visit! Tickets are
available online
www.chchartshow.co.nz.
$30 each opening night. $10 each for show
days, 10yrs and under free, gold card holders
$8.00. Car parking is free, café onsite and
door sales available for show days.