The Otago Cricket Association's bid to secure lights for the University Oval has been boosted with New Zealand Cricket promising a steady stream of international games for the next eight years if lights can be acquired for the venue.
The only sticking point is the lights' $2 million price tag.
The prospect of Australia playing a test at the venue in February is the carrot-shaped lever the OCA hopes to pull to help raise the required funds.
It launched its ''Light up the Oval'' campaign, with the support of NZC, at a function in the city last night.
''The compelling reasons we think this project is worth doing is we have an assurance from NZC that we will get cricket for the next eight years against all touring nations,'' outgoing OCA chief executive Ross Dykes told the Otago Daily Times.
''That means everybody from Bangladesh to Australia, India and England.
''With all these inbound tours coming, NZC needs to play as much cricket as it can in the optimum time for the market in Southeast Asia, which is day-night cricket. At the moment, that is twenty20 and one-dayers but, as everybody knows, day-night tests are not that far away.
''If we can get our share of that then there is a significant economic benefit to the city and exposure for the city.
''We know there is an inbound tour from Australia in February 2016 and what a great opportunity that would be to host one of those [tests].''
The other part of the equation is the oval's capacity of 5000 will need to climb to a minimum of 6000.
That can be achieved by expanding the eastern embankment.
It is a separate project from the lights.
The OCA put a proposal before the Dunedin City Council before Christmas but was turned down.
Mr Dykes is now more optimistic.
''We are going back to them and saying if the cost is $2 million, we can raise a million if you fund the balance.
"We believe, from talking to their financial people, that they could fund this without having to put up rates and with their cost of funding covered by increased ground rental, due to the fact we are offering a much better product.''
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull declined to comment when contacted yesterday, saying he would need to consider the proposal when it came before the council.
The bulk of the OCA's $1 million contribution is expected to come from gaming and charitable trusts, with the remainder, $260,000, through private donation.
About $100,000 has already been pledged.
With other associations around the country also upgrading their facilities, the OCA needed to continue improving or risk falling behind, Mr Dykes said.
''If we don't keep pace at the top level we start to lose credibility. While we have credibility, we can attract good players. We can produce administrators and good support staff and bolster NZC.
''We can hold players down here and by having a strong shop window, it enables us to stock our shelves at the back. That to me is the most compelling reason. We need to keep our game relevant to the people of Otago and Southland.''
It was not just cricket which stood to benefit, Mr Dykes said.
The Otago Rugby Football Union sees value in the project and Football South, Sport Otago and the Otago Polytechnic have indicated interest in the facility.
Mr Dykes said the four permanent towers could be in place in time for the 2015-16 season.
That means Otago could host home night twenty20 fixtures instead of having to travel to Hamilton.
The DCC will consider the proposal as in its annual budget hearings in May and June.
