$100m to spend on improving Eden Park

A $100 million upgrade of Eden Park is at the heart of promised improvements to all 2011 Rugby World Cup venues around the country.

Eden Park - the setting for the original cup final in 1987 - is expected to host the prime knockout matches over September and October 2011, with 48 matches spread over 11 potential venues, which in Auckland includes Albany's North Harbour Stadium.

Eden Park Trust Board chief executive John Alexander said a development committee sits down on Monday to map out a plan of action for the next six years.

The board has two options - both of which require further discussion with representatives from Government, the rugby union, and local and regional councils. The outcome will decide what option to take, said Alexander.

Both options involve the demolition of the Panasonic stand and capacity lifted from 47,500 to 55,000 - if not more, he said.

Option two, which will see the southwest and south stands demolished and rebuilt, may raise seating numbers beyond 55,000. Final seating numbers have not been received yet, said Alexander.

A clean stadium - a key sticking point for losing co-hosting rights with Australia in 2003 - is "not an issue at all", he said.

Alexander said cost remains a major factor. The board is looking at an investment of $100 million, but some of the money will come from the tournament itself.

It has been talking to a number of parties about getting funding for Eden Park - the country's only privately funded stadium.

"We see ourselves as an economic activity for the Auckland region and on that basis, we're saying we're adding value. It's time there was an investment in the park."

Alexander hopes to have the improvements finished by 2010 to iron out any teething problems.

North Harbour Stadium Trust chairman Reno Wijnstok, meanwhile, made a push for his 25,000-seating centre in Albany. He said the stadium was always designed to be able to seat 45,000. "Clearly Eden Park is seen as a preferred stadium for the semifinals and the finals. But North Harbour stadium, being only half built, does actually present an opportunity to provide an alternative.

"If they're going to spend $100 million at Eden Park to upgrade it, there's a question mark as to whether it should be spent at North Harbour. And that's an alternative we'll certainly be putting to them."

The price for expanding the stadium has been calculated in the past, but Wijnstok said rising building costs may mean those costings are out-of-date.

He anticipated no problems with hospitality arrangements and the clean stadium requirement. A number of corporate boxes are on three-year terms, he said.

"We have time to structure whatever arrangements are necessary for 2011 in advance.

"With six years out, we have a programme of rolling sponsorship deals which will be renegotiated. I would anticipate no difficulty in meeting the terms."


Option 1

* Complete the ASB Bank stand
* Replace the existing Panasonic
* Addition of 7000 seats on temporary stand above the west stand
* Capacity goes from 47,500 to 55,000

Option 2

* Replace the Panasonic
* Demolish the existing southwest and south stands, and rebuild to enable more quality seating
* Capacity goes from 47,500 to 55,000 - if not more