Council buys former Team NZ base

Team New Zealand's former base at the Viaduct Harbour has been bought by the Auckland City Council for $230,000.

The three buildings that made up the base could become part of a marine events centre the council plans to set up at syndicate row at the harbour, says recreation committee chairman Scott Milne.

The council is hoping the waterfront land on Halsey St, used by six America's Cup bases, will come under its control next year at no cost to ratepayers.

The land is owned by another public body, Infrastructure Auckland, through a subsidiary, America's Cup Village Ltd.

Mr Milne said the council made the call to purchase the base before it had finalised plans for the marines events centre to save money building new and more costly infrastructure in future.

The council also wanted a building to generate income, he said. Four bids were made for the base in the tender sales process.

Team New Zealand moved out of the base on July 12 into the base used by One World.