Rugby: Chiefs set to sign deal on Waikato Stadium

Mils Muliaina. Photo / Christine Cornege

The Chiefs are close to signing a deal which will keep Waikato Stadium as its home ground, although its administration base and training fields will be relocated.

Chiefs chief executive Gary Dawson said that after almost six months of negotiations between the franchise and Hamilton City Council over rental of the stadium, only a few minor details remained to be sorted out in the new venue-only rental agreement.

Both parties expected a deal to be signed before the end of this month and said all the financial details had been agreed in principle.

The Chiefs had previously held a sub-lease agreement with the Waikato Rugby Union, which had, until this year, held the sole heads of agreement for the stadium for 30 years. But separate negotiations were entered into after it was revealed the union had struggled to make rent payments and when at its lowest point was almost $1 million in arrears.

However, Mr Dawson confirmed the Chiefs would be moving their training fields and administration offices in or near Hamilton and was in the early stages of finding a new spot. The franchise trains at Beetham Park and shares an office with the Waikato Rugby Union opposite the stadium on Willoughby St.

Mr Dawson denied speculation that the Chiefs could move to Tauranga or share time between the two cities. "We are certainly going to be staying in Hamilton."

The council signed an agreement with the Waikato Rugby Union in June, which is understood to include $50,000 a year in rent and a cut of ticket sales at the gate for a minimum of $100,000 and $85,000 for match day operating costs.

But the Chiefs deal has taken longer to settle as the two parties had been at least $20,000 apart over an annual rental agreement for the rugby facility.

"It's all progressing very well, it's just not 100 per cent finalised," Mr Dawson said.

"One issue is just around when we can play games there, it's more to do with the June window. Every year, Super Rugby stops because international games are coming in and we are finding out about the ability to have games in June."

The franchise was waiting on clarification from the Rugby Union over that issue.

"It's not so much the times it takes, it's important we get everything agreed."

Hamilton City Council community general manager Lance Vervoort said both parties had "agreed in principle" on the major points but said the discussions had been held up by the council's involvement in the Rugby World Cup and the Chiefs undergoing end-of-season reviews.

The council had agreed in June not to make any comment on either of the deals until both were completed.

Meanwhile, the Waikato Rugby Union is making plans to move from the Willoughby St office to the Waikato Stadium after the Rugby World Cup.