At yesterday's finance and corporate committee, 11 councillors faced an unprecedented crowd of nearly 200 when they met to decide whether to put a maximum $37.5 million towards the stadium.
[comment caption=Did the ORC make the right decision?]Committee chairman Duncan Butcher said a placard in the gallery read "have the balls to say no" but he believed councillors also needed "the balls to say yes".
"So I say yes to this stadium."
He was joined by Crs Gretchen Robertson, Stephen Woodhead, Doug Brown, Sam Neill, Louise Croot and council chairman Stephen Cairns, who voted against Cr Michael Deaker's motion for the council not to fund the stadium.
Cr Deaker said while initially a supporter of the concept, he now believed the stadium would probably be "no more vibrant and useful than the community hall at Becks".
"There is not the mandate to support this proposal.
We should end this process now."
He was supported by Crs Gerry Eckhoff, Bryan Scott, who seconded the motion, and David Shepherd.
Councillors also voted 7-4 for a series of conditions described by Mr Cairns as designed to meet many of the concerns outlined by opposers.
They included an "if and only if" clause requiring the construction price of $165.4 million to be confirmed by February 2, 2009, or the council "no longer endorses the project".
Mr Cairns, who faced personal verbal attacks during the meeting, said he had "chopped and changed" on the issue, but the conditions would either move the project forward or it would not meet them, and fail.
Cr Deaker said the conditions were too "smothery", too vague and would not stand up to close scrutiny.
Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association chairman Syd Adie, who spoke at the meeting's public forum and organised the protesting group, said last night he was "disappointed once again" by a decision to support the stadium, with conditions.
"It's been condition after condition for three years."
But Mr Adie said he still did not believe the stadium would be built.
"We believe the conditions can't be reached, can't be met."
Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry was pleased with the decision, but "it's been such a hard process.
I guess I'll leap up and down and celebrate when we turn the key in the lock."
Cr Scott said the project would "never stack up" and the risks and lack of benefits and support meant it was a "white elephant".
Cr Shepherd said the project should have been leveraged off private funding first, and public second, rather than the other way around.
Cr Eckhoff said he could not support the stadium as it would only be used occasionally, with little chance of a financial return for Otago.
However, councillors in support of the project believed the stadium was a way of Dunedin retaining its fourth city status.
Cr Woodhead said Otago once set an example but in the past 15 years had slipped.
"I do not believe this region can afford to go without."
Cr Doug Brown said he had listened to all the evidence and views and decided the project would be good for Otago.
There were enough innovative people in Otago to make it work.
"I'm satisfied the projections are reasonable."
Cr Robertson said while a vote for the stadium was a gamble, she was not willing to gamble on the alternative.
The project would be a sacrifice but would also bring economic gain to the region, she said.
Cr Neill said it would take courage and financial hardship but the stadium would be a great asset.
Cr Croot said there was potential and opportunities in the project, especially its educational links.
"I think we have to look to the future."
The gallery emptied before the council's decision on how it would fund the ratepayer contribution of the $37.4 million.
It was agreed the distance factor would be included but a motion putting the proposal that 50% of the costs were to be recovered by a targeted uniform rate and the balance be recovered on capital value, over 10 years, was lost 5-6.
Councillors finally agreed, 10-1 on a motion changing the repayment period to 15 years.
The recommendations would be put to full council on June 25 for final sign-off.
• The Otago Regional Council supports the Awatea St stadium on the basis of these terms and conditions -The Carisbrook Stadium Trust must provide by February 2, 2009 evidence of a viable construction tender for the stadium for a price not exceeding $165.4 million.
• The final design remains at least the same as that detailed in the March 17, 2008 progress report from the Carisbrook Stadium Trust.
• The Dunedin City Council will:i) confirm it will be the ultimate owner of the stadium;ii) provide independent assurance of project management and cost control;iii) confirm it will manage ratepayer (including Otago Regional Council ratepayer) financial input to the project and provide appropriate audit and financial controls.
• The stadium must have a roof.
• The council contribution will be capped at $37.5 million and the Dunedin City Council will be responsible for $85 million.
• There be certainty of funding from Dunedin City Council, Community Trust of Otago and University of Otago in terms of the amounts and support infrastructure originally requested by the Carisbrook Stadium Trust.
• The council is confident fund-raising and private-sector funding is on track to meet commitments.
• Council contributions for the stadium will not start before:i) the site is cleared for construction;ii) site establishment works for construction have been completed;iii) permanent on-site construction has commenced;iv) the funding is to be advanced and targeted generally to the timing of the costs of the roof construction.
• Any external funding that would reduce ratepayer contributions that becomes available from sources other than the above identified sources and levels of funding will be discussed and sharing agreed with the council and the Dunedin City Council.
