The Auckland Waterfront Consortium (AWC) are going to release a new proposal with plans to build a waterfront stadium, five years after their very first proposal was made.
This Waterfront Stadium plan also came a day after Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium in central Auckland, announced a plan to turn the current 50,000 capacity stadium into a 60,000-capacity all-weather fortress.
Regarded as Eden Park 2.0, it will deliver a world-class, multi-purpose, hybrid stadium.
Eden Park’s bold plan to be turned into an eventual “world-class stadium” was announced, with the trust claiming Eden Park has distinct financial, transport and environmental advantages, giving fans a world-class experience and facilities.
Back in 2018, the AWC’s vision was for a 50,000-seat, fully enclosed waterfront stadium in the city.
However Dave Wigmore, of the Auckland Waterfront Consortium (AWC), explained the consortium have envisioned a much larger project with their latest proposal as well as ensuring there would be no taxpayers cost involved.
“AWC proposes a modern, fully enclosed, multi-purpose entertainment, sports and events arena, seating up to 70,000 people on the Auckland waterfront at zero public cost.” Wigmore explained in a press conference.
The consortium had said back in the original 2018 proposal that the “iconic” stadium could be built within 10 years if plans were adopted.
David Wigmore added that this proposal for a Waterfront Stadium is fantastic news for the future of Auckland as a city, whose plan is to ‘create a revitalised world-class city extending from Wynyard Quarter to the new ‘Bledisloe Quarter’
“The consortium looks forward to the upcoming public debate on the proposal,” he continued via press conference.
“[We’re] committed to respectful engagement with mana whenua and ensuring the best outcomes for Aucklanders.”
The consortium still have to get the vital approval from both the council and the Government when they first present this proposal to them.
The biggest benefit of this proposed project remains the fact that it was be of no cost to the general public and allow the city to create a new entertainment and function space for the public to enjoy.
Between the Government’s decision and executing a waterfront stadium plan in concurrence with the Eden Park extension, this will be a tough proposal to execute but it will sure be popular with the Auckland public.
