Council meeting on new stadium budget cancelled

An artist's impression of the planned multi-use arena. Image: Newsline
An artist's impression of the planned multi-use arena. Image: Newsline
An extraordinary Christchurch City Council meeting on the escalating $533 million budget for the new stadium has been cancelled because no firm price could be provided for the arena.

Barry Bragg. Photo: Supplied
Barry Bragg. Photo: Supplied
The meeting, in which councillors were to consider whether the public should be consulted over the increasing budget, was set to take place on Wednesday, June 1.

But the company that will deliver the multi-use arena, Te Kaha, advised the council it will not be in a position by then to provide a firm price for the arena.

Said Te Kaha Project Delivery Ltd chairman Barry Bragg: "Our lead contractor, BESIX Watpac, is due to deliver its final submission for the design and build contract tomorrow, but discussions to date indicate there are outstanding issues that need addressing.

"We have  advised the council that until we have obtained more cost certainty from BESIX Watpac, we will not be in a position to provide the council with the financial information it needs in order to consider its next steps," Bragg said.

City council chief executive Dawn Baxendale was unwilling to bring a report to councillors until all the facts were available, which is why the meeting has been cancelled.

"We cannot recommend to the council that we go out and consult the public about investing additional money into the arena until we have a clear proposal in front of us and a complete understanding of the costs, timing and risks for this project," Baxendale said.