Alternative Wellington Stadium
zonknz is the more practical,but less fun/drunk Jesus.
Mentioned at various stages...
Porirua Park- comments where is probably too small, lighting is bad and its hard to get to from town. Is this still the same given the average crowds you get
Newtown park - is too small. No proper lighting. Whats wrong with this ground..
Basin Reserve - is not suitable, seating would not be lay out right and lacks lights. aside from sharing with cricket are there any real issues...
- Porirua seats 1000. The area is not set up with room to expand much. Generous estimation would fall short of 3000 (IMO). So well below the size needed for our "average" crowds, not to mention A-League requirements. Such a stadium would not have room for adequate facilities - corporate, concessionary, parking, and those required by law such as ambulance access. It wouldn't be financially sustainable. The suburban location also means it would not be able to serve as a concert venue, hence removing a major incentive to upgrade the stadium to a primary venue.
- Porirua is less accessible than Westpac. The current location is quite possibly the most convenient location in the city. In fact I'd outright say it's the best placed stadium in the country.
- Porirua Park is in Porirua. 'nuff said.
- Wellington's average crowds for last season: 8,965. Your Mariners averaged 7,426. So if our crowds are average, yours are below average
Basically the exact same list of issues as Porirua Park, except Newtown is more desirable than Porirua (mind you, so is Afghanistan) and has the added obstacle of an athletics track.
[QUOTE=Midfielder] Basin Reserve - is not suitable, seating would not be lay out right and lacks lights. aside from sharing with cricket are there any real issues...
Sharing with cricket is a real issue in itself. Cricket Wellington won't allow other codes to use the Basin during summer. So it's not even a possibility. The local residents association won't allow lights to be installed at the Basin. The stadium also has less corporate facilities and (IIRC) has safety issues regarding ambulance accessibility. And it's not set up for football.
Fact is, Westpac Stadium is the only suitable stadium in Wellington. And that isn't going to change anytime soon. As much as I'd love to see a stadium more suited for our needs, it's not going to happen.
Mentioned at various stages...
Porirua Park- comments where is probably too small, lighting is bad and its hard to get to from town. Is this still the same given the average crowds you get
Newtown park - is too small. No proper lighting. Whats wrong with this ground..
Basin Reserve - is not suitable, seating would not be lay out right and lacks lights. aside from sharing with cricket are there any real issues...
SiNZ2011-05-18 08:52:56
Thanks for your reply ... I now better understand the position...
JD
Very true about increasing the crowds ... but in the media environment we both live in ... its hard to grow a product on pay TV with little media ...
Not sure I even understand what questions to ask to solve the crowd growing issue ... but I totally agree we need to grow the A-League crowds for the competition to remain...
SiNZ
Sorry about not knowing the stadiums and park history of Wellington... was just going on what some had suggested earlier in the thread...
Anybody who is old enough to remember when games were actually played there will tell you that it is an absolutely terrible football venue.
What people seem to forget is that the playing surface at the Basin is actually significantly larger than Westpac Stadium. So although it seems like the smaller capacity would lead to a better, cosier atmosphere it just isn't true.
And half of the 10,000 - 11,000 capacity has to sit on the grass banks. That might work in Townsville but imagine having to do it in the Wellington wind and rain. No thanks.
People are too quick to point out the few flaws of Westpac Stadium and forget it's many, many advantages. As others have said we should be focusing on consistently getting 10,000+ in there which is when it actually works well.
No worries. I had erroneously assumed you were from these parts, hence my attempts at levity.
Yeah that number is a yarn. We got 10,000 in for the Canterbury earthquake appeal cricket event and we opened up a large area of the playing field to fit the punters in. I think 8,000 is more realistic but it's pretty hard to guestimate with banks and bleachers for seating.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jan/14/how-s...
Seemed sort of relevant to this thread.
THAT is definitely part of the 6.853%!
Well done. What a great read.
PERHAPS the Nix need to talk to and think about potentially working with Wellington Rugby to try and get some critical mass for a NON-dual purpose ground. The keey messages in that story for me were":
1. The existing dreary non rectangular ground was an impediment to atmosphere, and therefore to crowds.
2. Thinking outside the square to broaden the stakeholders in the rectangular stadium concept was critical.
3. With a purpose built atmosphere generating stadium the rectangluar feild franchises flourished beyong expectation.
It's interesting you posted this this morning.
I was actually looking for (and eventually found) the (now locked it turns out) Petone Rec Boutique Ground thread. I was wondering about Newtown Park, and whether, given a perfect storm of circumstances whether it could be a place that could be developed into a 20,000 seat rectangular ground.
Yeah, I wanted to put it in the Petone Rec thread but it was locked. Enjoyed re-reading it for the lols.
Newtown Park should be good today. Looking forward to Hutt Rec.
"Because we've got Phoenix at the Hutt,
you can stick Petone up your @rse."
THAT is definitely part of the 6.853%!
Well done. What a great read.
PERHAPS the Nix need to talk to and think about potentially working with Wellington Rugby to try and get some critical mass for a NON-dual purpose ground. The keey messages in that story for me were":
1. The existing dreary non rectangular ground was an impediment to atmosphere, and therefore to crowds.
2. Thinking outside the square to broaden the stakeholders in the rectangular stadium concept was critical.
3. With a purpose built atmosphere generating stadium the rectangluar feild franchises flourished beyong expectation.
It's interesting you posted this this morning.
I was actually looking for (and eventually found) the (now locked it turns out) Petone Rec Boutique Ground thread. I was wondering about Newtown Park, and whether, given a perfect storm of circumstances whether it could be a place that could be developed into a 20,000 seat rectangular ground.
'Course it could. And for all those who say access/parking is the major problem, how is it that Athletic Park managed to attract huge numbers for eggball tests to the wilds of Berhampore back in the day?
I think things like parking become more of an issue these days though as people look for more and more excuses to not attend games. People can watch the games (and overseas leagues) in much more comfort at home on sky etc these days. Plus other entertainment options.
I don't think its a fair comparison.
I think things like parking become more of an issue these days though as people look for more and more excuses to not attend games. People can watch the games (and overseas leagues) in much more comfort at home on sky etc these days. Plus other entertainment options.
I don't think its a fair comparison.
Turn Melrose Park into a car park then.
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Siggy said to me he rekons the team will move to the hutt rec . And if siggy said that it will happen. His balls his word haha
I just did some quick graphic overlay. A 20k and a 10k seater stadium over Newton Park. Just out of interest how big they are. I thing parking and transport is a big issue. Gareth should pitch it, just to see Nimbys coming out the defence. I don't think it's a good to place for an Arena.
20k Millwall "Ifill Stadium"
10K Thun "Rojas Stadium"
ditching the training ground
Heaps of parking at the back (up the hill).
I saw a while ago that a big industrial lot in Petone right by the train station was for sale (I think it was Unilever or something like that in there previously) - seemed like a better location for a stadium than Petone Rec, and there would be no loss of green space for NIMBYs to whine about
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
To be honest I couldn't understand why Wellnix hadn't pitched a case for a 15,000 rectangular stadium at Newtown Park instead of Petone Rec. But then I'm in Orkland so wot do I know?
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
To be honest I couldn't understand why Wellnix hadn't pitched a case for a 15,000 rectangular stadium at Newtown Park instead of Petone Rec. But then I'm in Orkland so wot do I know?
I personally think there's no chance at all of a stadium at Newtown Park - the area is too residential. I'd say the most likely location within Wellington city would be somewhere along the waterfront, but I also think that's highly unlikely too. Hutt Rec, or another option out in that area is the only (even slightly) likely option I reckon.
As for transport to the game, that is easy as one bus stops right outside, and the other stops near one of the local drinking locations and is probably a shorter walk than between the backbencher and the satdium.
The solution is obvious: dedicated match day buses from Station/Courtenay Place/Kilbirnie to Newtown Park and back. Probably did this for Athletic Park eggball tests.
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
To be honest I couldn't understand why Wellnix hadn't pitched a case for a 15,000 rectangular stadium at Newtown Park instead of Petone Rec. But then I'm in Orkland so wot do I know?
I personally think there's no chance at all of a stadium at Newtown Park - the area is too residential. I'd say the most likely location within Wellington city would be somewhere along the waterfront, but I also think that's highly unlikely too. Hutt Rec, or another option out in that area is the only (even slightly) likely option I reckon.
Really? And anyway, what's wrong with residential. Loftus Rd. Easter Rd. White Hart, Emirates...... etc. etc. Adds to ambience IMO.
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
To be honest I couldn't understand why Wellnix hadn't pitched a case for a 15,000 rectangular stadium at Newtown Park instead of Petone Rec. But then I'm in Orkland so wot do I know?
I personally think there's no chance at all of a stadium at Newtown Park - the area is too residential. I'd say the most likely location within Wellington city would be somewhere along the waterfront, but I also think that's highly unlikely too. Hutt Rec, or another option out in that area is the only (even slightly) likely option I reckon.
Really? And anyway, what's wrong with residential. Loftus Rd. Easter Rd. White Hart, Emirates...... etc. etc. Adds to ambience IMO.
I also think people underestimate the impact of say, 8,000 people all trying to get to one location at one time. Newtown is a bottleneck that can be hard to get through in rush hours anyway, and you'd have to put more buses on for the buses to work, but they just clog up the roads even more. There's practically nowhere else to park around there so heaps and heaps of new parking would have to be put in too.
Add to that a council who think that one stadium in the region is enough and I really couldn't see consent being granted
Beaten to it.
Yeah getting into Newtown is appalling even when there is no event on. Petone Rec was good because its just off the motorway, close to the rail network, etc.
Newtown Park is an extensively used community facility. There are no other athletic facilities in Wellington city. If you put a stadium on Newtown Park then you need to build another track somewhere.
I think some residents would love a stadium in Newtown if it meant demolishing those infamous flats. Some of us fought the battle of the Nimbys in Petone and I would suggest the Hutt Rec is an even better proposition but the Nimbys there have much more money to oppose it.
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
To be honest I couldn't understand why Wellnix hadn't pitched a case for a 15,000 rectangular stadium at Newtown Park instead of Petone Rec. But then I'm in Orkland so wot do I know?
Clearly you have no grasp of transport/ travel in wellington
moving 10000 people across wellington from the station in busses would be chaos! (assuming there would be 5000 arriving in cars or already living in the area.
Parking in Newwtown is horrid as well.
Hilarious reading this thread from the beginning - I'm sure some of the people arguing against a separate stadium back in 2010 went full circle and were in support of the petone rec proposal...
Also seems odd to lock the petone rec thread. I mean I know it went down the toilet but it can still be discussed can't it?
Anything is possible but given how hard it was to get a Marine Education Centre approved in Island Bay, it would be a series of high hurdles to get over for the WelNix Arena in Newtown.
But would be massive. The Zoo AND the footy next to each other, Hockey centre up the road and the golf course next to that. Newtown could be the sporting heart of Wgtn.
Don't forget the Basin up at the other end. It would rival Melbourne's sporting district!
To be honest I couldn't understand why Wellnix hadn't pitched a case for a 15,000 rectangular stadium at Newtown Park instead of Petone Rec. But then I'm in Orkland so wot do I know?
Clearly you have no grasp of transport/ travel in wellington
Umm.. used to be a Wngtn postie mate. Probably walked every street between J'ville and Ohiro Bay, paid and unpaid. And if I can walk from Courtenay Place to the Zoo and back unaided by wheels or a zimmer frame, why can't 20,000 others if they want to watch football?
because 20,000 people don't want to walk 45 minutes to watch a game of football?
We can barely get 10k to a facility with a a huge car parking building, plus buses and trains coming from all over.