KEY POINTS:
A pool and gymnasium project proposed for North Harbour Stadium could boost its appeal as a base for sports teams, including a top 2011 Rugby World Cup contender.
The South African team are touted as favourites to be hosted at the Albany venue because of the high number of South Africans who live on the North Shore.
Stadium chief executive Brendon O'Connor said that though Eden Park would hold the cup final the stadium was aiming for quarter finals and pool games featuring high-quality sports teams.
"We'd love to see teams like the South Africans playing here and possibly them being based here," said Mr O'Connor.
The stadium is part of an Auckland regional tender to Rugby World Cup New Zealand for allocation of matches and team bases.
Mr O'Connor said the tender must be prepared this year and state what facilities would be available at the stadium.
He said the proposed aquatic centre would allow the stadium to be "best dressed".
"But we need to be confident that by 2010 there is going to be an aquatic centre with associated facilities and services."
Mr O'Connor said a decision by the North Shore City Council to build the $14 million aquatic centre at the stadium would also boost the prospect of a grant from Fifa, the international soccer federation, towards building new facilities for tenants, including New Zealand Football, United Soccer One, North Harbour Rugby and Harbour Sport.
A grant of at least $1.2 million might be available from Fifa.
He envisaged a sports precinct, including the aquatic centre, where various sports shared administration and services and facilities such as playing and training fields and changing rooms.
The prospect of the stadium playing a more prominent role in the 2011 world cup and hosting the headquarters for various sports has been welcomed by the city council.
The council has a consultant's report about turning the 25,000-seat stadium and adjoining domain into a more community-friendly Albany sport and recreation precinct.
