Agreement signed with Government

Media Release

Another historic moment for Eden Park
Agreement signed with Government

The signing of the agreement with the Government over the future of Eden Park is yet another historic moment for the ongoing development of the Park.

Trustee Rob Fisher welcomed the finalisation of the agreement, which confirms Eden Park as the finals venue for the Rugby World Cup and provides for a redevelopment that will offer a significantly improved experience for fans and the community.

"On behalf of the Eden Park Trust Board, I would like to thank the Government for its commitment to underwriting the redevelopment.

“I would also like to thank the Minister and the Ministry of Economic Development officials for their constructive approach to finalising the Heads of Agreement, which ensures that the redevelopment will exceed the IRB's requirements for RWC 2011, and leaves open the ability to further enhance Eden Park in the future,” Rob Fisher said.

New South Stand
The main feature of the redevelopment will be the construction of a new South Stand to replace the existing South and South-West stands that will increase the capacity from 10,000 seats to 22,000 permanent seats, and with temporary seating over the East and West stands, provide a ground capacity of 60,000 for RWC.

Key features of the new South Stand include improved facilities for public, season ticket holders and corporate customers and enhanced food and beverage facilities. Another significant feature is an internal service tunnel at ground level to provide better back of house facilities and improved facilities for players, coaches, media and officials.

“The new South Stand has been designed to allow future development of the East and West stands to provide a completed stadium bowl and internal concourse,” Mr Fisher said.

Meeting community needs
"Balancing community needs with operational requirements has been a major priority for the Trust Board in its discussions with the MED and we are pleased that the new Redevelopment Board is committed to further consultation with the community."

Governance
The Eden Park Trust Board recognised from the outset that the governance of the Park needed to be updated, and that the governance of the redevelopment project also needed to change to reflect the funding underwrite.

"Following completion of the appointment process, the Eden Park Trust Board will be delighted to welcome John Waller, Brian Nightingale, Neville Harris and Nigel Cass as full Trustees of Eden Park, and in particular the experience and expertise that they will bring to the Redevelopment Board.”

Mr Fisher will be the Trust Board's representative on the Redevelopment Board.

"I would like to thank the Eden Park Management, the consultants, and the former members of the Eden Park Redevelopment Committee whose efforts have laid the ground work for the proposed redevelopment, and obtained the necessary resource consent for the project," Mr Fisher added.

The Trust Board will continue to manage operational aspects of the Park as it intends to operate events throughout the construction period.

Auckland Cricket will continue to use the No.2 oval except for some of the 2010/2011 season when the ground will be required for the erection of temporary seating behind the West Stand.

ENDS

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