I want to back Sir John Kirwan’s support for the new waterfront stadium.
Now is the time.
If not now, then it’s never, and we will sink more millions into putting lipstick on Eden Park.
I'm loath to disrespect it by calling it a pig, but we need to close the chapter on Eden Park. Do not put emotions ahead of progress.
We need to build a spectacular statement on the best land in the country, by the sea, on Auckland's waterfront. This stadium will show what we are capable of.
It will say, "We are NZ. Welcome to NZ. We built this. Let's go."
I think it stacks up.
I've looked into it, and we can free Eden Park up for much-needed housing and other community amenities.
But if PM Luxon is looking for something to sink his teeth into, as he says he is, then he needs to publicly slap himself in the face and realise this is his YES moment.
His legacy project is now; it is here, and this is it. The other day, he was looking for economic growth. Well, this is economic growth on steroids… build it, and they will come.
And Kirwan's points about the boost it will give to city shops, restaurants, pubs, and clubs would be enormous. We have to grow up and mature and bury the 1950s talk about affordability.
If we can’t build, fund, and maintain a stunning waterfront stadium on Auckland’s waterfront as the new fortress for the ABs, Warriors, Auckland FC, and Blues, then clearly we all missed Luxon’s message the other day about it finally being time to say yes. He should get involved to make it happen.
So this government must show it's not just talk and throw its considerable influence behind it. Back it, Chris… fund some of it, get the Council involved, put the powers and balance sheet of the Crown behind it, and let's go.
If we can spend $80 million on consultants looking at the Cook Strait ferries, then surely we must do this.
All up, we spent $130 million on consultants for the ferries and the idea to ride bikes across the Harbour Bridge. $130 million!! And we got nothing.
I can see the main stand, the Jonah Lomu stand, Richie McCaw lounge, and Colin Meads conference room.
Let’s stop saying no.
The land is amazing, the site is waiting to be exploited. I went down today to have another look. It's waiting for us to be courageous.
AT&T Park in San Francisco is on the water, and the town is alive all around the perimeter.
We owe this to ourselves in many ways. We certainly need to show our support for the many investors in the commercial buildings downtown, the bars, restaurants, etc., and transplant the most successful sporting act on planet Earth to play there.
Auckland has said no once already to a blank cheque. This is where the investment is. Let’s follow the money, surely.
Trains, buses, cars, and ferries all end up there. Now is not the time to repeat our mistakes. Who would return to Athletic Park in Wellington? The waterfront stadium in the capital is now iconic.
Let’s build, baby, build.
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