Commision News & Views with Commission Chair Anne Tolley

There's been some media coverage in recent weeks of views for and against the proposed community multi-use boutique stadium proposed for Tauranga Domain.

The preliminary business case for the stadium has been received by the Tauranga City Council Commission, but before we decide whether to take this forward for full community consultation, via council's 2024-2034 draft Long Term Plan process, we need additional information on the level of support for the proposal and how the estimated cost of up to $220 million would be funded.

Community-driven process

Work is underway to gather this information and we expect that will be brought back to council for consideration in August. Meanwhile, it's important we remember this is a community-driven process, led by Priority One. Much like the development of the Millennium Track at the domain some years ago, a group of people and organisations have seen a need for the development of a multi-use stadium and is investigating how that need could be met and funded; and the project governed and managed, if a decision is made to proceed.

Key things

Key things to keep in mind are: The Commission will need to be convinced the proposal is affordable for ratepayers. This means there will need to be a reasonable assurance that much of the capital cost would need to come from other sources, and reflect the sub-regional benefits the stadium would provide.

If it does proceed, organisations whose activities at the domain are impacted will be supported through changes involved and relocation costs will be included in the up-front cost.

The preliminary business case for the stadium indicates it would generate up to $778 million in social and economic benefits during its lifetime, and that it would make an operating profit, although this would not cover all debt repayment and depreciation costs, requiring an annual contribution of around $15 million.