New Stadium team keeps the ball in play

9 August 2013

Yarrow Stadium’s new governors say they’re determined to build on the momentum of June’s All Blacks-France rugby test at the venue.

The Taranaki Regional Council has assumed ownership of the stadium to secure its future. The Council will ensure there is continued funding for the stadium’s long-term maintenance and development. The Council assumed control of the Taranaki Stadium Trust on 27 June 2013.

In a move that signals the Taranaki Regional Council taking effective ownership of the stadium, Taranaki Regional Councillor Craig Williamson and the Council’s Director-Corporate Services, Mike Nield were formally appointed as trustees within a week of June’s test clash, which was the third All Blacks fixture at Yarrow Stadium.

“The timing says it all,” says Cr Williamson. “The French test cemented the stadium’s role as one of Taranaki’s iconic assets. What other region outside the five main centres can boast repeated All Blacks tests?”

In another example of Taranaki local authorities working together for cost-effective solutions, Mr Nield says the day-to-day operations at Yarrow Stadium will continue to be managed and funded by the New Plymouth District Council. “But until now, there has been uncertainty over funding for long-term maintenance and development. Now that’s settled, we can look forward to seeing the All Blacks win in Taranaki again.”

Key features of Yarrow Stadium’s ownership and management structure are:
• The New Plymouth District Council continues to fund, manage and operate the venue.
• The Taranaki Regional Council controls the Taranaki Stadium Trust (formerly called the Yarrow Stadium Trust), which owns the venue.
• No change to the Yarrow Stadium operating name.
• A joint committee of both Councils make decisions on short- and long-term maintenance and development of the stadium.
• Each Council will be responsible for funding its areas of activity and no Council is able to incur obligations or liabilities on behalf of the other.
• Should one of the Councils remove or significantly reduce its funding, the agreements will unwind and control of the trust will revert to the New Plymouth District Council.

ENDS

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