Karapiro champs to bring in $105m

Jubilation greeted yesterday's announcement that Rowing New Zealand will host the 2010 world championships.

Chairman Bill Falconer said New Zealand's rival, the Netherlands, was capable of holding a good event but the fact that Lake Karapiro provided an ideal location in a Pacific destination appealed to rowers.

"Most of the courses in the world are swimming pool courses, they're 2000m long and they've got eight lanes in them, but this is a natural-ish lake and it is a stunning setting ... "

World championships in Europe rarely attracted large numbers and the prospect that over 10,000 spectators in a "committed sports nation" were likely to visit Karapiro during the event bolstered New Zealand's case. Karapiro last hosted the event in 1978.

"In the 1978 championships there were 10,000 to 15,000 spectators every day," said Mr Falconer.

Rowing NZ chief executive Craig Ross said gate revenue was expected to be $1.1 million and $6 million would be spent upgrading facilities. He hoped they would be in place for the transtasman youth regatta in 2009, providing a test event in the lead-up to the mid-September championships.

Waipa District Mayor Alan Livingston said a $9 million council plan to upgrade the lake area, already in place before the announcement, might have to be fast-tracked.

"People have said, 'What's the economic benefit to Waipa?' but it's immeasurable in terms of not just the champs but long-term use of the lake by a range of other aquatic sports."

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard said Government agencies had committed $75,000 to the bid and would give a $1.5 million grant and underwrite it by $500,000.

He estimated the championships would inject around $105 million in spending to the Waikato economy.

Hamilton is host city and Mayor Michael Redman said providing public transport along State Highway 1 between the city and Karapiro would be a key to ensuring the event's success.

- NZPA