About time a real multi events centre built

Guest view: Warren Slater

Who's into bowls?

A recent Advocate article "Cheers as stadium work at last lifts off", December 20, 2011 reminds me of the long processes undertaken before this present outcome.

I can remember that the "multi-events stadium" lassoed in many other sports codes to support the approval for its inception.

There was to be gymnastics, soccer, rugby league, indoor bowls, rugby and field hockey along with concerts, shows and musicals catered for at the multi-events centre.

A quote from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, on the Northland Event Centre: "indoor bowls and gymnastics along with many other sports were given the opportunity to be based at the event centre and the centre would accommodate their sporting requirement."

Those were the promises but many have failed to eventuate as it appears it's a rugby stadium; a business, funded by ratepayers.

In time and having witnessed the submission processes where numerous competitors pleaded with council to accommodate their passionate sport in the "multi-events centre" it is pleasing to see the above-mentioned Northland Athletics and Gymnastics Trust stadium under way. Many of these different sporting codes were in the original plans and only some have had their wishes fulfilled.

Would it not have been financially prudent to have gone with the original plan and had a truly "multi-events centre", or is it all about having one's own patch?

Indoor bowls was one of those original pawns who were promised a lower level area to be only offered space on the third floor with no storage facilities whatsoever.

Wasn't that telling them they weren't wanted by council at the stadium? There are large numbers who compete in indoor bowls and where are being accommodated?

Who would know, they are all hiding away in some out of the way facility struggling to survive.

Hopefully one day the golden eagle will see some light and hatch a much-needed plan for them.

Warren Slater stood as a mayoral candidate in 2007 and 2010.