KEY POINTS:
Eden Park has crossed its final hurdle to rebuild the stadium for the Rugby World Cup 2011 after reaching an agreement with its neighbours.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Simon
It truly saddens me to come to the realisation that I live in a city that has no vision, drive or boldness about it. A city that under its current leadership couldn't hold a piss-up in a brewery due to in-house arguing over who would pay for the beer at the end of the night.
In the last 4 years we have lost the V8 street race, the Volvo Round the World yacht race, the World Rally Championship, The soccer (Knights) and an opportunity for a world class multi-purpose stadium on the waterfront. People lacked the vision to realise that the renders they saw were only concept designs and the final product would have been influenced by what the public demanded and incorporated into the final design. Finally those red gates would be gone and the waterfront opened for all to use. Sorry Auckland but those gates aren't going anywhere soon. My kids, your kids and probably your kids, kids will have to stand behind them and watch the bananas dry and containers rust just as we have done for the past 50 years!
Anyway that ship sunk but not all was lost, while this had been going on the Eden Park trust board decided to come up with a great design for Eden Park. A complete stadium encircling the whole ground with all seats covered. A concourse around the entire stadium and a transport hub at the Sandringham road end. All this at a fraction of the cost of the sunken stadium NZ. Well at least that's what I thought. Step in Mr Mallard: If I can't have my stadium you can't have yours! Like a little kid and a very bad loser Mr Mallard decides to pull the plug and deliver the absolute minimum possible. What we are left with looks like a lego make up of an old 1970's English football stadium. Nothing to inspire the imagination and certainly nothing to be proud of. Sorry kids but it looks like you'll be sitting on the terraces in the rain with all the drunk teenagers around us for many years to come.
Bruce
Hawaii (pop 1.2m) has a better football than we do even though it was built more than 25 years ago. Wellington Stadium will remain our best and only stadium (in the true sense of the word rather than a collection of disjointed stands and terraces) in this country even after the 2011 World Cup.
Muzza
It looks rubbish. Can't believe we have gone from two good upgrade options (waterfront or full Eden Park) to this half ass approach.
Simon (Auckland)
New version of Eden Park Stadium looks nice and cheap. The original plan was okay, but this isn't a national stadium, its an excuse for a regional footy ground.
DC
Bring back the waterfront stadium!
Chris
I think it could of been better Eden park is good old stadium that was good in the 1980s but it is no good for these modern days even if they do it up it will still be a nightmare when it comes to parking because its based around residential. They should have built a new one in a industrial area perhaps south Auckland where the land is cheaper and more of it and would of had less problems.
Chris
I think it could of been better. Eden Park is good old stadium that was good in the 1980s, but it is no good for these modern days, even if they do it up it will still be a nightmare when it comes to parking because its based around residential homes. They should of built a new one in an industrial area, perhaps South Auckland were the land is cheaper and more of it and would of had less problems.
Paul (Sydney)
The ARU were right when they voted for Japan. The short sighted NZRU were aghast and we still hear them whingeing about the Aussie stance but an Asian world cup would have been held in world class facilities and boosted the game throughout that region dramatically. Now it's going to be presented in a second rate stadium in a country where the game rules supreme anyway so where's the logic?
Margot (Kingsland)
Boring snoring. They could do something really special. More importantly, they need to do something about accessibility to the ground. I went to the ABs v France and it was a horror show. Sort it out guys!
Reece (London)
I support the NZ herald readers concerns regarding the final approved Eden Park design. What are you doing New Zealand, the new stadium is embarrassing! I mean I have better viewing facilities in my 2-bedroom flat in central London compared to what has been approved.What incentive have you given foreigner to fly 1/2 way round the world to be part of the world cup? Green grass and promises of the great outdoors isn't enough anymore.New Zealanders, and this is not just Aucklanders, this is all New Zealanders, you should have stopped winging, rallied together and made a decision that would have provided a positive legacy for our country.What are we left with now, 1/2 a cake tin, which continuing the analogy suggests that all of the goodness found within will be lost out the sides. Come on, start thinking ahead New Zealand, you're really getting left behind.
Matt J
Those of us who supported the national stadium proposal at Auckland's waterfront aren't exactly surprised that this half baked embarrassment is going to be put together with blu tack in time for 2011. How on earth Eden Park plc ever got the green light for a stadium that they must've known could never have been built to it's original plans is beyond me. Its a joke pure and simple.
Scott M
I think the park looks great. I live on Reimers Ave and I think once its finished it will be way better than the concrete tower we look out at now. I reckon well done to the design team who had to work to so many conditions. Now let's just get on with it.
Arch Hill
ew south Stand looks great, pity they couldn't finish the ASB stand. would have liked to have seen a cool design for the terraces, maybe a multi level stand.
Tim from London
I admit that the proposed Eden Park doesn't like it'll be as good as the Cake Tin.But it's better than the new Wembley Stadium in London which looks like woman's handbag because of the arch. And it's certainly better than spoiling the waterfront view with a building that no one will look out of.
Arnie FB
It should be in Wellington!
zzZZzzzzZzz..
It looks stupid.
Luke Mason
You can't please all of the people, all the time. People were moaning when the Government came up with other options, and now people are moaning about this cheaper alternative. You can't have it all. I personally think it will serve the purpose for now, infrastructure. However, I'm sure when an implementation is made, there will be more of this incessant moaning!
Simon
This design is a complete joke, I would rather we didn't even host the cup as we will be the laughing stock of the developed world come opening night of the 2007 RWC. I can't believe they are keeping the terraces and that the concourse that encircled the ground has gone. If the neighbours don't like the shade then move. Let someone who appreciates living next to the ground move in. What could have been....
London
My god, what a sad sight this is going to be. I'm going to pretend I'm an Aussie while this World Cup is on.
Nzausse
Band aid harbour bridge, band aid public rail system, band aid road system and now a band aid international rugby stadium. Most of the public were right, we could all see what was coming. There is an old saying, you get what you deserve. What did we expect, nothing, and we got it. Surprise.
Harry L (Waitakere City)
I suppose it is the best that can be done with this ugly-duck mix 'n match stadium, but Auckland needs a world class sporting arena for our world class sporting teams - and this sure as hell isn't it.
Manawa
Said it once, said it twice. Eden Park is a disgrace. Come on guys, pull your head out of the clouds. Trevor Mallard offered Auckland a paid up new stadium just along the road from where the America's Cup could be coming too. Bowl Eden Park over tomorrow and rebuild new apartments there and cash it in. This has made you Aucklanders look like dorks.
Zak (Perth)
Good grief, what on earth are you Kiwi's doing? Eden Park is going to be a joke throughout the rugby world and you are happy to let that monstrosity go on display as the showpiece of your rugby grounds. I know you don't like us Aussies having a go, especially about rugby, but fair suck of the sav, how can you let that revamp go ahead? If something like that was even suggested here there would be rioting in the streets. It's probably too late now so good luck with it. You are great neighbours hope the rugby world isn't too tough on the "new" Eden Park.
Lars
The visionary and forward thinking leaders of Auckland had a brand new stadium offered to them on a plate by the Government.
They procrastinated before rejecting the offer and now what are we left with an upgrade to an obsolete dump in the middle of the suburbs. It will make New Zealand look cheap and tacky. $190m to add 15000 temporary seats (NZ$12666 per extra temporary seat) to Eden park to bring it up to 60,000, which once the 2011 World Cup is over will be gone. What a fantastic way to spend our ratepayer money. $10 says that they won't even get it finished on time.
Le Fox
Who is going to pay for the downgraded upgrade? The ratepayers rejected outright the idea of paying more rates, & the Government has not mentioned how much it is going to put into the Mt Eden upgrade.As usual, this Council & Government have duped us again. Mallard wanted an international stadium, let him pay for it.
Embarrassed ex-pat (New York)
I can't agree with Richard's comments more. Why is the redevelopment board and Auckland authorities pandering to the neighbourhood association? If you buy property in that area of Mt Eden then you should expect that such a facility will develop over time - caveat emptor! For once, can't we do something properly and have Auckland/NZ shine as a sophisticated, advanced and progressive international destination for not only rugby fans but all visitors to our shores? Temporary seating and half a stadium for an international spectacle that could generate significant tourist dollars long after the RWC is simply an embarrassment.
Globally Embarrassed
I have to agree with Richard. The plans for Eden Park demonstrate emphatically why New Zealand is the poorest of second cousins to Australia in the region in the "How To Host A Global Event" stakes. Colloquial, half finished and unworthy of hosting an event of this size. We should all now appreciate why Australia understandably pulled the pin on joint hosting the last final, it's like the NZ Fashion week, more kids fancy dress than Haute couture.
Nick
That's just one of the many reasons why New Zealand should not have got the go ahead to host the world cup. The stadium plan just looks second rate anyway you look at it!
Sniggil
So very disappointed. As if the south stand wasn't bad enough!
Robert Neal
I'm so ashamed for Auckland, after the last couple of World Cup finals in magnificent stadiums Stadium Australia, Millennium Stadium Cardiff and the next one at Stade de France, we end up with this messy cheap and nasty looking hodgepodge of a design, why can't Auckland and New Zealand ever do anything properly, either build the complete legacy option which was a beautiful design or build a new stadium at a better location. This thing Auckland is being stuck with is embarrassing. Rugby is our national sport we need an arena in which the All Blacks and New Zealand will be proud of.
Robert Cumming
Yet again Auckland has dropped the ball and gone with the cheap and nasty option, why bother, do it right the first time or don't do it at all. The legacy option should have been the design chosen.
Cam (Kumeu)
It looks pretty half baked to me. Aren't stadiums supposed to be symmetrical? It seems a real shame that this is going to be the wonderful centrepiece to RWC 2011. The apparent tunnel vision and empire building of the small group of decision makers regarding Auckland's premier stadium defies belief. Clearly the waterfront stadium was a bit of a dream, but starting from scratch at the old Carlaw Park would have won any public debate hands down. Even completing North Harbour Stadium would have got a fair number of nods from many of us on the Southern side of the bridge in preference to this half-baked effort of mismatched stands and temporary seating which is the new Eden Park.
Now, I love Eden Park, and have enjoyed many games there over the years. But that just helps to confirm to me that it is in the wrong place - it's always going to have problems with transportation, local residents, light pollution etc. In order to move forward, we have to be a bit less precious and put our dollars where they really count.
Liam
It's absolutely appalling that the worst area of the existing stadium - the Eastern Terraces - has been retained in the final design. Trying to seat 15,000 on a single tier at one end of the ground is a ridiculous idea. If you've ever sat at the back of the terraces like I have, you'll know what I mean. You're so far away from the action you may as well stand on top of Mount Eden. The obvious reason for keeping the terraces, is that they account for a very large chunk of the required 60,000 capacity, very cheaply. But that don't cut it in my book.
Apart from the terraces, the redesign looks okay, if extremely disjointed. The South Stand looks good, the ASB Stand and West Stand are fine as they stand (but some temporary seats will be added to the West Stand to push over the 60,000 capacity mark).
One the whole, however, it's a huge disappointment, especially considering what other RWC hosts given us for finals venues - Sydney's Telstra Stadium was used in '03, the State de France will be used for this year's tournament, both 80,000+ seat grounds with beautiful, cohesive architecture - and what does NZ come up with?
Paul outta NZ
Yup, a proverbial eyesore. My god, who designed this thing? Why on earth wasn't the downtown wharf development allowed?
Mt Eden has some classic homes, and this thing just doesn't fit in. I'm a true supporter of glass enclosures, which in their right place are great.
That right place is not Mt Eden. That right place is commercial downtown.
Arron
What a waste of money. Nothing will transform that dump Eden Park into something anyone could be proud of. We will be the laughing stock of the developed world in 2011. Eden Park will be a reminder for future generations of how small-minded and backward NZ is. I hope that Mike Lee and Rodney Hide are happy on this third rate option they have lumbered us with.
Richard
From any angle it looks half-arsed, unfinished, and a 'hodge-podge'...much like what it is now, only shinier. A disgrace, compared with the spectacular architecture and foresight put in to so many of the grand stadiums being erected across the U.S, Europe and Asia. Cheap and nasty - so should fit right in to the impossibly ugly Auckland cityscape that we have been cursed with in recent years by our civic 'leaders'. Typical Auckland/New Zealand these days - absolutely craptacular.
