Auckland Stadium Dilemma.What's everyone elses thoughts on this?

Question

As you may or may not be aware, Auckland is either going to get an upgrade of Eden Park or they are going to build a brand new Stadium for the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Should they upgrade Eden park, this is fine for NZ Cricket as Cricket is going to be incorporated in the upgrade and are making the boundaries wider. It should be noted that if they build a Waterfront Stadium this is also going to cater for Cricket.

However, there are two other options doing the rounds. Firstly, a new Stadium in Victoria Park that would just be a Rugby/Football/League Stadium and secondly the upgrade of North Harbour Stadium, which again is just Rugby/Football/League. Should they decide to go with one of the last two options, where does this leave Cricket? Would the run down Eden Park become a designated Cricket ground? With a few alterations they could probably make it into quite a nice little Cricket ground. At the moment it holds around 43,000 for Cricket games but rarely (if ever) gets that amount of people. They could reduce the seating and make the boundaries wider, giving the ground more of an oval shape.

Answer 1

Considering from what you have given, a dedicated cricket stadium is always great, as the pitches and outfield are protected. Also, the changes done to it can always be cricket specific, like camera stands, etc.

However, there is the question of financial viability. If the present capacity of 43000 is not being fully utilized, then giving the stadium out to other sports makes sense.The problem here would be what if the cricket dates clash with those of other games?

In India, a lot of the stadia are specific for cricket. They play a lot of local games and occasionally rent them out for parties!!!!! Requires a bit of cleaning up for a match after that!!!!

Answer 2

im pretty sure they are going ahead with upgrading eden park with construction beginning after the All Blacks final Bledislode Cup test this year.

Answer 3

Thanks for the awareness