Bill Dalton: No harm in weighing facility plan

Bill Dalton.

I am becoming increasingly intrigued by the orchestrated campaign of faceless texts to this paper attacking the Napier City Council - particularly our decision to undertake a thorough investigation into the possibility of building a multi-use facility incorporating a velodrome in Hawke's Bay.

One texter even suggested that after serving the citizens of Napier so well, I shouldn't let my legacy be a lame-duck, white-elephant velodrome.

That comment raises all sorts of issues.

My legacy is not the issue here. If it was, I would hope to be remembered as someone who stood up when the city needed strong leadership and who helped bring stability and growth to our city and region.

To bring growth to the region, we need to be constantly looking at not only creating jobs to bring people here but facilities that make them want to stay here.

That is exactly what my council is trying to do - attract people to the region who will contribute to economic growth and provide them with facilities that will ensure they stay here.

I thought Rod Drury made a wonderful comment in Hawke's Bay Today. He suggested we should "create location-independent jobs and the Bay lifestyle will be the prize".

Rod has absolutely hit the nail on the head. We not only need to concentrate on the creation of jobs, we need to continually enhance our lifestyle.

While our natural environment will always be the main attraction, the built environment - including sporting facilities - will also ensure we compete with other regions.

So why is this small, vocal minority determined we should not build a large, multi-use, covered facility in the city providing at least three full-sized courts for basketball/tennis/futsal or other activities, plus a velodrome?

Have they done a full business case investigation including future operating costs?

Have they considered the type of facilities likely to attract Government funding?

Have they considered that a $5 million investment by the Napier ratepayers could bring millions of dollars into the region just in the build alone?

Have they talked to Cycling New Zealand to understand its commitment?

Let me make my position on this project very clear.

I strongly support NCC fully investigating the possibility of undertaking this project, as did 87 per cent of those who submitted to our Long Term Plan.

If that investigation proves a multi-use facility incorporating a velodrome is viable and can be appropriately funded, I will support the undertaking of the project.

If at any stage during the business case investigation it becomes clear that the project is not viable, then I will vote to abandon the project.

The point I am trying to make is, we need to do our homework. Suggesting this proposed addition to our sporting assets is a lame duck/white elephant without doing due diligence is like saying your wife doesn't like travel without offering her the chance of a luxury cruise.

I know there is not one councillor around the NCC table who would support this project if the business case showed there would be an unacceptable burden on ratepayers in the future.

Every councillor is aware that our existing sports grounds and facilities are heavily subsidised by general rates and they are conscious of maintaining Napier's status as one of the most affordable cities in which to live in the country. Why would they put that at risk?

Simply put, at this stage we don't have sufficient information to say whether the proposed multi-use facility incorporating a velodrome is viable or not.

When we do, I have absolute confidence the Napier city councillors will make the appropriate decision for our city and the region.

Until that time, let's all stay positive about Hawke's Bay and its future.

Let's acknowledge the good work people right across the region are doing to increase prosperity and enhance our lifestyles - and let's make sure 2016 is the dawn of a new and exciting era for the Bay.

-Bill Dalton is Mayor of Napier.

-Views expressed here are the writer's opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz