Fight to save Western Springs Speedway continues
James Selwyn
Operators of the Western Springs Speedway in Auckland are confident they have managed to change some minds at the city council after making their case to stay open.
Public submissions on the stadium's future opened this week, with the Western Springs Speedway Association taking the opportunity to submit its own proposal to maintain the status quo.
It opposes two other proposals - one for a private stadium and the other for a ratepayer-funded overhaul.
The association is seeking a 30-year lease to keep the speedway running, arguing the space is flexible enough to be used for a variety of purposes including concerts, rugby, football and basketball.
"A lot of people aren't aware the pit gate can be removed for concerts, so it's actually very easy to set a concert up there," spokesperson Jason Jones said
"There's a lot of space that's under-utilized, like the upper carpark where we feel if they did want to build basketball courts that's the most appropriate place."
He argued it was the most sensible option, avoiding costly renovations or privatisation.
"In the meeting we had a local basketball club and Western Springs Football, we [think] if all these groups got together that we could utilise the stadium a lot better without it being privatised," he said.
"In the past we've had the speedway, concerts, and rugby coexist and it's worked pretty well. You can build on that with other community groups."
Gina Harris, a driver at Western Springs Speedway, presented the proposal alongside Jones.
She said councillors were receptive.
"After actually having our say there was a lot of them mumbling that they wished they had known all of this when they were forced to make a decision last October... They would have voted differently," she said.
Harris said it was a shame it had taken so long for the council to hear them out.
"For this to be the first opportunity for Aucklanders to actually have their say about one of their biggest assets so far down the track, it's not a good look for the council."
Jones agreed.
"Having councillors make decisions without key facts and information is just not appropriate, so we've got submissions until the 16th for the general public and we'd like them to put it back on the table and revisit it."
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