By KEVIN TAYLOR
HAMILTON - Support from the Hamilton City Council for a $30 million twin-stadium project looks shaky as a crucial meeting on a $9 million council grant looms.
Councillors meet tomorrow to decide on releasing the grant but sources say numbers are not with the project and that voting will be close.
Some councillors are also concerned at a proposal that the council underwrite a shortage of $2 million.
In May, councillors voted 8-6 to contribute $9 million - subject to seven conditions. One who voted for the project, Grant Thomas, is overseas.
Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Gary Dawson says it is crunch time for the project and critical that the council approve the money.
Work has to start on the new rugby stadium this month to avoid interfering with next year's National Provincial Championship programme.
The twin-stadium project also involves a revamp of the WestpacTrust Park cricket complex.
The council conditions for the grant say that the Waikato Stadium Trust's proposal has to have resource consent, be debt-free and have a suitable business plan.
Council stadium working party member Jody Garrett says the trust has not delivered on these conditions.
It would not be debt-free, and there was no council support for the naming rights to the stadium going to project backer Trust Waikato for $1.5 million.
"Really the trust has failed to deliver and council will have to decide whether it is delayed or whether it has to put more money in."
Mr Dawson is confident that the business plan will measure up.
He says Rugby Park is in poor condition and does not meet international standards.
The state of the park is jeopardising the continued basing of the Chiefs Super 12 franchise in Hamilton. Next year's home Super 12 games will be held away from Hamilton as Rugby Park does not have lights for night games.
Councillor Garry Mallett does not support the stadium project and says that unless there is a rock-solid proposal he will vote against the grant.
He says the trust has no price-tag on the project - only an estimate. Superannuitants struggling to pay their rates should not subsidise a professional sport.
Stadium trust spokesman John Parker says the trust would have to rethink the project if the council rejected the grant, but he does not expect that.
The public gave a clear message in a referendum this year that they wanted the project.
"Councillors are very aware nobody wants to be the person that stops this project," he said.
"If they don't take note of what the community has said I am sure, come election time next year, the community will vote accordingly."
Deputy mayor Brian Impson expects a close vote, with the naming rights a stumbling block.
Mr Impson would not say how he would vote.
In May, councillor Grant Thorburn voted against putting council money into the project.
"There's no point in setting conditions and not sticking to them," he said.
Councillor Dave Macpherson believes the council will release the money if the plan stacks up.
However, he has not seen the trust's business plan.
Mr Macpherson says petty difficulties should not stand in the way of the project.
Crunch vote on Hamilton stadium
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