Rich-listers pull out of Western Springs Stadium project
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland Football Club's rich-lister owners have pulled their proposal to take over Western Springs Stadium.
The privately funded venue focused on football, Auckland Arena, was backed by entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, American businessman Bill Foley, and New Zealander and NBA player Steven Adams.
It was one of three options for the
future of the stadium
that went out for public consultation in May.
Auckland Council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), earlier told councillors they favoured the Auckland Arena proposal.
The decision comes just weeks after
Mowbray and Williams' controversial resource consent application to build a helipad
at their multi-million dollar Westmere property was approved.
TAU chief executive Nick Hill told RNZ on Tuesday they were informed by the backers of the Auckland Arena concept for the stadium that they had withdrawn their submission to the expression of interest (EOI) process relating to the future use of the stadium.
"We were disappointed to hear of the withdrawal of the Auckland Arena proposal. The EOI evaluation panel and our board had deemed it to be the most positive solution for Auckland.
TAU was set to provide a recommendation to the council on which proposal to go ahead with at an upcoming meeting on 31 July.
Hill said the TAU Board would put off advising councillors on the issue until after the city's local government elections in October.
"Western Springs Stadium is a historic and valued asset with huge potential. We need to consider the public consultation feedback before deciding next steps. We are committed to making a recommendation that will deliver positive outcomes and provide certainty for Aucklanders."
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