By BERNARD ORSMAN
Auckland's troubled indoor stadium is being scaled back in the middle of an international downturn for the entertainment industry.
Instead of a stadium costing more than $89 million, the Auckland City Council is now considering a proposal with less "wow!" factor priced at between $68 million and $70 million.
The council has also increased the ratepayers' contribution from $50 million to $53 million.
Plans for a 12,500-seat venue on the Auckland waterfront took a knock last month when the Australian company planning to build, own and operate the venue for 30 years, Abigroup, failed to come up with a $30 million contribution. Since then, the council has started talks with another Australian company, Jacobsen, which is not prepared to put in anything like that.
This has led to changes, including the loss of corporate boxes, convention centre facilities and a second-level concourse.
Recreation committee chairman Scott Milne said the changes were focused on sticking with the original purpose of an entertainment and indoor sporting arena of quality.
He said the council was making good progress in tough negotiations with Jacobsen and could have a deal wrapped up in four to six weeks.
Stadium plan scaled back
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