The association received a massive boost to its project to put up lights at the University Oval on Wednesday when the Dunedin City Council approved nearly half of the funds needed for the $2.1 million project.
Association chief executive Mike Coggan said it was brilliant news and thanked the council and councillors for making the decision to approve the money.
''I thought we were given a really good hearing. It had been on the table for some time and we had done all our homework and put all relevant things they asked for,'' Coggan said.
The association would now get down to detailed discussions to other funders about assistance but he was pretty confident it could be done. Private donations had already been received.
Coggan also noted the challenge was to get the $1 million decision ratified by the council next week and then work through the issues around consent for the lights.
With Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia all touring New Zealand next season there was much anticipation about what matches the Oval could host.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive David White had already passed on his congratulations about the decision, Coggan said.
Coggan said any decision about itineraries was some time away but NZC had earlier promised a test match against Australia if the lights were approved.
But the association was not going to stop there.
''Wouldn't it be great if we could get a day-nighter in January? We could have the lights in and play a game like that here.''
Coggan said there was still plenty of work to do and the association had to be mindful the ground was on council land. Consent approval would also take some work.
But it was a positive move by the council and a boost for Dunedin, he said.
''I think they've made a wise decision ... the economic impact from a test match can be massive, and not just with the fans. When you get two teams here then you are looking at upwards of 200 people already, with all that comes with the teams.
"So that is $500,000 right there already to be spent in the city.''
The council voted 9-6 to support the lights at its long-term plan deliberations on Wednesday.
