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The cost of upgrading Eden Park for the 2011 rugby World Cup is edging upwards from the $190 million budget set by the Government.
The exact figure is not known but Eden Park Development Board chief executive Adam Feeley said it was highly unlikely to get as high as $250 million, as Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard had suggested.
Mr Hubbard yesterday said that could include between $25 million and $30 million for roading and transport improvements on Sandringham Rd.
Mr Feeley said a rough order of costs in March-April for a partial facelift of Eden Park was calculated by quantity surveyors at $197 million.
The board was working on a new budget, based on more preliminary design work and additional costs, such as shading mitigation for neighbours and the costs of the board. The new cost should be known by the end of the year.
Mr Feeley said plans for a new south stand and temporary seats were the only approved schemes but the design team had indicated additional options that could be considered.
One was to extend the depth of the roof on the new south stand by several metres to add thousands of premium covered seats. The value of those seats would then repay the cost of the capital, he said.
The Eden Park Trust Board, which favoured a grand $385 million upgrade at the time of last year's waterfront stadium debate, has been keen to get as much as possible from the latest design work. Redevelopment board chairman John Waller hinted at cost increases this week.
"We are mindful of the need to responsibly manage the costs of the redevelopment. But we also need to provide New Zealand with a venue that we can be proud of," he said.
Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard has said the Government will underwrite the upgrade up to $190 million but no more.
The Auckland City Council last week voted to give at least $30 million to upgrade Eden Park as part of a $50 million cup package. The other money will go towards roading and public transport improvements around it.
However, the council made that dependent on the Auckland Regional Council matching the figure dollar-for-dollar, which has antagonised ARC chairman Mike Lee. He said he favoured making some contribution, but the ARC was focused on getting an entertainment strip at the Tank Farm and trains ready in time for 2011.
