Eden Park revamp expected to cost $320m

Revamping Auckland's Eden Park in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup is expected to cost $320 million.

Asked where that money was coming from, Eden Park development committee chairman Rob Fisher said yesterday that the focus so far had been on finding a design to suit all the parties. "Now we will turn our attention to funding it."

The park's trust board, unveiling its preferred design option for the revamp yesterday, said the plan was to put two-thirds of the 60,000 seats under cover.

Mr Fisher said winning the cup rights was a one-off opportunity to turn Eden Park into the stadium it should be.

The committee plumped for the "legacy" design option, which went for permanent improvements instead of temporary seating for the tournament. It was important that improvements in stands and facilities would give ongoing economic benefits long after the World Cup was over.

Mr Fisher said the design would look after the park's neighbours as well as rugby and cricket fans.

A spin-off was the development of the No 1 oval to meet International Cricket Council terms and improve viewing for games by realigning the portable pitch to a north-south line.

Mr Fisher said the $320 million cost estimate for the project included escalation and contingency allowances of $45 million. It was not directly comparable with earlier rough estimates of $160 million.

He said that estimate [$160 million] was based on a new south stand and temporary seating for the tournament.

"What we are proposing is a different scheme, involving more transport initiatives, replacement of the eastern terraces, an internal concourse around the ground and a permanent long-term solution for Eden Park."

He said a mixture of private and public sector investment would fund the revamp. Asked whether that meant having Eden Park renamed to a sponsor's brand name, he said he thought most people would not like that to happen, "but ask me that when we have got [funding] to $310 million".

The Herald has reported that ratepayers could contribute $60 million.