Crusaders step closer to 'new' stadium
NEWS: The Crusaders received some great news after the Christchurch City Council has opted to bring forth its funding for the Multi-Use Arena.
The Council has this morning formally adopted its 2018-28 Long-Term Plan, which includes accepting the Mayor’s recommendation to bring forward the Council’s $253 million contributions to the Multi-Use Arena by two years to 2021.
“This is an exciting day for Christchurch, as we can now begin planning with some certainty this fantastic new facility that will bring so much to the city,” Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said.
“We acknowledge the demanding but thorough process that the Council has been through in adopting this Long-Term Plan and considering the various public views along the way. It is great to see that so many submitters, like us, believe that the multi-use arena should be developed as quickly as possible.
“We firmly believe that bringing this project forward will have many ongoing positive repercussions for the city so we would like to thank and congratulate the Mayor and Councillors for showing real leadership and vision in making this decision,”
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Crusaders Chairman Grant Jarrold said the decision to bring funding forward makes sound economic sense.
“This is a significant announcement from the Council in an emotional sense because it represents progress for our city and brings with it much hope for the future. But it is also an economically sensible decision. The Council’s contribution was already in the Long-Term Plan, so this is not additional money; it was already going to be spent.
“By agreeing to spend that money two years earlier so that the Multi-Use Arena can be built sooner, means that the city can reap the economic benefits of having a world-class venue for concerts, sporting events and other major events sooner as well.
“With the Government having made its intentions clear that some of the $300 million Capital Acceleration Fund should be spent on this project as a priority, time is of the essence. Following today’s decision by the Council, proper planning can now proceed with some haste and Christchurch can begin looking forward to being a venue for major events again,”
