The Star: February 08, 2024

• From page 1
Christchurch would utilise
existing facilities at the Ngā
Puna Wai Sports Hub, Parakiore
Recreation and Sports Centre,
Te Kaha – Christchurch
Stadium and the Town Hall
rather than build new venues, so
Invercargill’s velodrome would
be a prime option for track
cycling.
In more potentially good
news for Mauger, the Southland
Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable
Trust, which runs the velodrome,
did not discount
involvement.
“We would be
open to working
with others to
bring any events
to the venue,”
said Trust chair
and Southland
District Council
councillor Darren
Frazer.
“We have an amazing track
and are home to some of the
world’s best riders.”
There had not been a formal
approach to city or district
councils, though when contacted
by The Star Smith was receptive
to a bid encompassing the South
Island.
“It’s early days and Nelson is up
for the conversation. We’re prepared
to look at it with an open
mind. We could be a partner for
some sports if it (a bid) was to
proceed,” said Smith, who talked
up the city’s multifaceted Saxton
Field.
“I think it’s a good initiative by
Mayor Mauger. It’s longshot but
it’d be wrong to completely rule
it out.
“The big question is what additional
facilities would be required
and what level of support would
be available from the government
if major facility upgrades were
required.
“The key is we’d have to be
convinced the economic benefits
outweigh the costs.”
While Smith was happy to
crystal ball gaze, a Dunedin City
Council spokesperson said the
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
organisation had not considered
the possibility of a joint bid.
Christchurch surfaced as a potential
replacement for Canadian
province Alberta once its bid for
2030 was withdrawn on financial
grounds last August, weeks after
Australian state Victoria pulled
out of hosting the 2026 Games
for the same reason.
Smith hoped the Commonwealth
Games Federation, which
selects the event’s host, would
reassess its criteria after Victoria
pulled out.
“I’m hoping they have become
a bit more realistic about the cost
impacts on communities,” he
said.
The Commonwealth Games
Federation stipulates the chosen
city or region must stage athletics
and swimming, with other locations
able to be hosted elsewhere.
Presenting the Games premier
events poses problems for
Christchurch with Ngā Puna Wai
and an underconstruction
Parakiore
the only
viable options.
Halswell Ward
councillor Andrei
Moore’s territory
covers Ngā
Puna Wai and
doubts it would
be equipped to
handle an event of the Games’
magnitude unless the Federation
relaxed its criteria.
“You would have to invest a
NEWS 5
Invercargill also open to co-hosting games
Darren
Frazer
VENUE MENU: Invercargill’s velodrome would be a sought-after location for any bid by
Christchurch to host the Commonwealth Games, while the athletics arena at Ngā Puna
Wai Sports Hub would require significant upgrades.
PHOTOS: GETTY/CCC
Andrei
Moore
Thursday February 8 2024 The Star
huge amount of money into getting
it ready to keep them happy.
At this point in time they need
a red carpet rolled out at every
single facility,” he said.
“By the time you fit in the athletes,
their people and the media
you’ve already got a seat shortage
and zero spectators.
“You could put up temporary
seating like they did (at Hagley
Oval) for the Cricket World Cup
(in 2022) but would that satisfy
them (the Federation)? My thinking
is probably not.”
Even with temporary seating
the Ngā Puna Wai track would
struggle to accommodate 15,000
people.
While Te Kaha could potentially
hold the opening and closing
ceremonies, Moore doubted it
would meet Federation approval
without an athletics track for the
participants to march around.
Moore joined Smith in hoping
the Commonwealth Games Federation
would reassess its hosting
requirements.
“They need to revamp the event
entirely to make it sustainable
and feasible. Cities should be
holding off on bidding until they
do that,” he said.
“There’s not a single facility
in New Zealand that wouldn’t
require a huge amount of capital
investment in it to satisfy the
Federation.”
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