Taskforce sets out to find new bases for Cup teams

By HELEN TUNNAH

America's Cup Minister Trevor Mallard will chair a taskforce investigating where syndicate bases can be housed if New Zealand hosts another Cup defence.

A $250,000 feasibility study will consider where the bases can go since the privately owned portion of Halsey St's Syndicate Row is expected to be developed after the America's Cup ends in March.

Four of the 10 syndicate bases are on private Viaduct Harbour Holdings land. The others are on land publicly owned by Infrastructure Auckland through its subsidiary America's Cup Village Land.



Mr Mallard announced the privately funded study this week.

Options included squeezing syndicates on to public land or extending one wharf area, he said.

A wharf extension, to take up to five bases, would go ahead only if it was commercially viable after the cup leaves Auckland.

The taskforce members include Auckland City councillor Scott Milne, ACVL chairman Peter Kiely, Ports of Auckland chief executive Geoff Vazey and Rob Campbell, of Viaduct Holdings Limited.

Options to be considered are:

* Redrawing ACVL-leased sites.

* One facility for launching yachts, with off-water bases around Halsey St.

* Extending Halsey St wharf.

* Building new sites around the Tank Farm.

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