General Mt Smart Stadium

On Darcy Waldergraves show tonight...
Screenshot_2023-11-21-18-43-53-05_a23b203fd3aafc6dcb84e438dda678b6.jpg
 
I was wanting to go out for a bike ride tonight. Also partly looking for an excuses not to as I look at the weather about to turn into the usual 2023 rain and more rain.

Might be worth listening to that show tonight.

How he expects to pay for it. At any rate he can sort it out and we can fill it.
 
The last time the waterfront stadium was really seriously discussed as an option I was working in the city with a car park provided via work. So heading into the city was convenient. If it was built then I could see that I'd attend more games.

I don't have that park now but if I was going to take public transport to a game I'd need to head to the city first anyway.

To me the public transport system should direct people into the city. Any new stadium needs to be able to get a large amount of buses into the area close to the stadium and out again quickly to get people home again. That all might be feasible but then you hit the Auckland motorway which can get blocked up pretty easily.

If we can get some improvements to Mt Smart it would make a handy backup in case the main one is booked. Get the old come back to the historical ground like some of the Aussie clubs do.
 
Only caught the end of the interview due to internet issues. Had to use the old fashioned radio on the alarm clock.

It all sounded promising until he said a capacity of 18-20k. Aiming for a size they can fill every week. Same reason for opting for Mt Smart over Eden Park.

I've always been in favour of a larger stadium if we are going to do a new build, especially if it ends up being a national stadium for major events. A Suncorp Stadium would be ideal.

If we need smaller it should be tiered for different size events like some of the new stadiums being built in Australia.
 
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If we need smaller it should be tiered for different size events like some of the new stadiums being built in Australia.
Do you have any examples of those? Just curious how those work/look when used for smaller events.
 
I wonder how much of our fan base - the genuine ones, who show up when we're a bit shit - live near the central city or are willing to travel there at 8pm on a Friday night. Whenever the 'Warriors to Waterfront' is mooted (usually by corporate men with grand designs and zero sporting passion) I keep thinking about the way the equivalent flash harries in fancy suits marketed the Stadium of Echoes up at North Harbour back in 1995. The population up that way exploded as promised; meanwhile attendances started modestly and declined steadily.
When they first mooted a waterfront stadium I had dreams of being able to get a ferry in to downtown Auckland (living in East Auckland) and walking to the stadium. But then I thought about Fridays and the NRL's habit of lumping us with 8PM Games and everyone else on the large on Friday, start of the Weekend don't ya know! and how buses and ferries tend to stop at about 10-11pm. The whole thing would need planning and putting more public transport on - which is a risk, you have to put the transport on before the crowd for it, rather than waiting for a crowd to justify the extra transport/number of journies the existing transport makes. I'd really like to see it happen, but breath is not being held...
And never mind "a bit shit", I turn up when we're REALLY SHIT. So, I'd turn up, as Columbia's hottest, "lucky that my scam makes me small and humble so I can rip off the taxman" tax dodger would say "Whereever, Whenever".
 
I believe it will happen with Bill Foley. It will be a stadium and entertainment hub with his restaurant business experience. The entertainment hub will help fund the stadium.

He’s makes things happen and has the financial clout and experience to get what he wants.

This is a game changer and ties in perfectly for the Warriors.
 
Only caught the end of the interview due to internet issues. Had to use the old fashioned radio on the alarm clock.

It all sounded promising until he said a capacity of 18-20k. Aiming for a size they can fill every week. Same reason for opting for Mt Smart over Eden Park.

I've always been in favour of a larger stadium if we are going to do a new build, especially if it ends up being a national stadium for major events. A Suncorp Stadium would be ideal.

If we need smaller it should be tiered for different size events like some of the new stadiums being built in Australia.
A 20-25 thousand capacity stadium is the perfect size for a downtown stadium for the amount of fans that attend a game on a regular basis in Akld. 12-16 thousand on avg attend a Super Rugby game, 12-18 thousand for a Wahs game. Football will be looking for an initial 8-10 thousand and build on that. This size stadium will also have a better chance of getting built due to its proposed size.
 
He mentioned in the interview that they are looking to partner with another professional team for a new stadium.
That would have to be the Warriors as the Blues will be tied up with the Rugby Board/Eden Park.
I'm thinking that Foley quotes 18-20k as that is the size of the new Bournemouth stadium, and its fair to say that it sounds like the ideal size for a football specific stadium.
I think over the next 2 seasons he will see what the demand is for his football team and if it's consistently close to selling out Mt Smart then he will be keen to increase it.
Also if it's a genuine partnership with the Warriors, Mark robinson will have strong thoughts and will be able to show Foley the Warriors crowds over the next couple seasons. Foley probably hasn't paid much attention to them before
 
Do you have any examples of those? Just curious how those work/look when used for smaller events.
The best I've seen is the concept videos used for the new stadiums.

I thought they had it in the videos for the Roosters new home grounds where the top becomes advertising hoardings. Seen others where it looks like they get closed off.

Suncorp doesn't get re-configured but as it is tiered the top section is often not opened up.
 
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Property Insider: Bill Foley’s Auckland waterfront stadium aspirations​

Restaurants, wine and now football: Bill Foley of NZX listed Foley Wines is expanding his footprint here, last Tuesday confirming rumours that flew for months of him spending big on sport locally. Who might build his new waterfront stadium? Construction bosses discuss.

Energetic American billionaire Bill Foley of Foley Wines wants a new waterfront stadium for 20,000 people for his new Auckland A-League football team in its home city and all within three years, or so.

That’s one of the most interesting, exciting real estate schemes to hit this city in years: is it possible, who might build it, what would it mean for events in this city, how would it change us, could we finally see an enlivening of the seaside area? So many questions.

Foley has the money, experience, vision and well-established links in this country to achieve just that. The enthusiastic businessman summed that all up with: “I’ve been coming to NZ for 20 years. What’s better than having restaurants, wine and football? Fantastic!”

Foley Wines, in which he is a major shareholder, has a market cap of only $77.5 million but is expanding, with vineyards in Wairarapa, Marlborough and Queenstown. It is headed by long-serving Mark Turnbull, chief executive for almost 12 years.

On Newstalk ZB’s Sportstalk with D’Arcy Waldegrave, Foley said work on his planned waterfront stadium would be “fairly expeditious. I’ve got an unrealistic timeline that would be very quick but I don’t think that one’s gonna happen. But I think within three or four years, we’ll have a stadium, we’ll have it put together, we’ll be under construction”.

He also met the Herald’s Michael Burgess last week who reported: “Foley is also open to a custom-built arena. He is happy at Mt Smart - ‘we are there for a few years at least’ - but told the Herald the long-term plan would be a waterfront stadium with around 20,000 capacity”.

Could he work with Tāmaki Herenga Waka Ports of Auckland and its owner Auckland Council to make his vision a reality?

If anyone can, it’s Foley. Bill and Carol Foley are no strangers to this city, hosting a dinner for nearly 300 people at Euro last decade. Back then, they were launching the Wharekauhau Wine & Food Society, an exclusive hospitality, wine and food club named after their luxurious Wairarapa lodge, where he hosted the couple who are now the Prince and Princess of Wales along with Prince George.

And he hasn’t stopped there either, buying a string of vineyards and just this spring opening the rural-styled new The Runholder in the Wairarapa outside Masterton. Property Insider visited in April, before the recent opening. The new $8m building is dark brown with a rural exterior somewhat resembling a corrugated iron woolshed.

The stylish interiors have soaring ceilings, banks of skylights bringing the sunshine in, a grand central A-frame glass-fronted entranceway and wine-tasting area.

It’s now hosting diners and events. The restaurant, wine and gin-tasting areas are big on social media.

Who might build that waterfront stadium?​

Waterfront stadium talk has gone on for years. It could be like San Francisco’s wonderful Oracle Park, where the seagulls soar above the baseball matches and you can easily walk from the centre of the city.

Cast your mind back to 2006 and high hopes from the then-Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard who named Fletcher Construction to build a 60,000-seat, $497m stadium. Mark Binns headed the building business then and described the scheme as “buildable”.

What do big builders say about this?

Rick Herd, Naylor Love chief executive: “I thought Auckland Council missed an opportunity to rebuild Eden Park on the waterfront so I like the concept. We are interested in building anything but do not have a track record in large stadiums as some others do. We would be interested, depending on the timing of other commitments.”

Dominion’s Brett Russell is preparing for independent commissioners to hear his Beachlands application. That started yesterday, so that’s his focus.

Another building business boss said: “Any tier one builder could build it. The key is getting an efficient design and funding and a sensible price. Doing a deal with the Government and council is the obvious answer. This could be a multi-use stadium.”


TBH, a 20,000 seat stadium on the Waterfront comes no sense whatsoever. It would be built on what is the most expansive land per m² in the country. If it doesn't hold 30,000 plus it's not viable.... no mater how many billion you might have behind you.
 

Property Insider: Bill Foley’s Auckland waterfront stadium aspirations​

Restaurants, wine and now football: Bill Foley of NZX listed Foley Wines is expanding his footprint here, last Tuesday confirming rumours that flew for months of him spending big on sport locally. Who might build his new waterfront stadium? Construction bosses discuss.

Energetic American billionaire Bill Foley of Foley Wines wants a new waterfront stadium for 20,000 people for his new Auckland A-League football team in its home city and all within three years, or so.

That’s one of the most interesting, exciting real estate schemes to hit this city in years: is it possible, who might build it, what would it mean for events in this city, how would it change us, could we finally see an enlivening of the seaside area? So many questions.

Foley has the money, experience, vision and well-established links in this country to achieve just that. The enthusiastic businessman summed that all up with: “I’ve been coming to NZ for 20 years. What’s better than having restaurants, wine and football? Fantastic!”

Foley Wines, in which he is a major shareholder, has a market cap of only $77.5 million but is expanding, with vineyards in Wairarapa, Marlborough and Queenstown. It is headed by long-serving Mark Turnbull, chief executive for almost 12 years.

On Newstalk ZB’s Sportstalk with D’Arcy Waldegrave, Foley said work on his planned waterfront stadium would be “fairly expeditious. I’ve got an unrealistic timeline that would be very quick but I don’t think that one’s gonna happen. But I think within three or four years, we’ll have a stadium, we’ll have it put together, we’ll be under construction”.

He also met the Herald’s Michael Burgess last week who reported: “Foley is also open to a custom-built arena. He is happy at Mt Smart - ‘we are there for a few years at least’ - but told the Herald the long-term plan would be a waterfront stadium with around 20,000 capacity”.

Could he work with Tāmaki Herenga Waka Ports of Auckland and its owner Auckland Council to make his vision a reality?

If anyone can, it’s Foley. Bill and Carol Foley are no strangers to this city, hosting a dinner for nearly 300 people at Euro last decade. Back then, they were launching the Wharekauhau Wine & Food Society, an exclusive hospitality, wine and food club named after their luxurious Wairarapa lodge, where he hosted the couple who are now the Prince and Princess of Wales along with Prince George.

And he hasn’t stopped there either, buying a string of vineyards and just this spring opening the rural-styled new The Runholder in the Wairarapa outside Masterton. Property Insider visited in April, before the recent opening. The new $8m building is dark brown with a rural exterior somewhat resembling a corrugated iron woolshed.

The stylish interiors have soaring ceilings, banks of skylights bringing the sunshine in, a grand central A-frame glass-fronted entranceway and wine-tasting area.

It’s now hosting diners and events. The restaurant, wine and gin-tasting areas are big on social media.

Who might build that waterfront stadium?​

Waterfront stadium talk has gone on for years. It could be like San Francisco’s wonderful Oracle Park, where the seagulls soar above the baseball matches and you can easily walk from the centre of the city.

Cast your mind back to 2006 and high hopes from the then-Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard who named Fletcher Construction to build a 60,000-seat, $497m stadium. Mark Binns headed the building business then and described the scheme as “buildable”.

What do big builders say about this?

Rick Herd, Naylor Love chief executive: “I thought Auckland Council missed an opportunity to rebuild Eden Park on the waterfront so I like the concept. We are interested in building anything but do not have a track record in large stadiums as some others do. We would be interested, depending on the timing of other commitments.”

Dominion’s Brett Russell is preparing for independent commissioners to hear his Beachlands application. That started yesterday, so that’s his focus.

Another building business boss said: “Any tier one builder could build it. The key is getting an efficient design and funding and a sensible price. Doing a deal with the Government and council is the obvious answer. This could be a multi-use stadium.”


TBH, a 20,000 seat stadium on the Waterfront comes no sense whatsoever. It would be built on what is the most expansive land per m² in the country. If it doesn't hold 30,000 plus it's not viable.... no mater how many billion you might have behind you.
Love the concept but totally agree it needs a larger capacity.
It should also have the ability to host concerts to open up the area as an entertainment precinct.

Hopefully the A League team connects or I could see the low interest in the A League and Auckland bureaucracy ending up squandering this sort of opportunity.
 
How good would it be to see a Warriors leagues club built near Mount Smart? A place to have a pint, feed and punt surrounded by like minded fans before a game. If your unfamiliar, most NSW and QLD based teams have one.
 
How good would it be to see a Warriors leagues club built near Mount Smart? A place to have a pint, feed and punt surrounded by like minded fans before a game. If your unfamiliar, most NSW and QLD based teams have one.
Im only basing my opinion on the only 2 leagues clubs I'm familiar with.. Eels and Broncos Leagues clubs.. they are functional because they are open week long with bars and restaurants when fans/families/non league supporters go. They are also built in residential areas surrounded by fans of the club.
I don't think many people would say "hey should we go to Penrose for dinner on Tuesday?"
If we tag onto the Waterfront stadium, then a Warriors Leagues club and Auckland football club built into the stadium precinct would be fantastic.
 
Im only basing my opinion on the only 2 leagues clubs I'm familiar with.. Eels and Broncos Leagues clubs.. they are functional because they are open week long with bars and restaurants when fans/families/non league supporters go. They are also built in residential areas surrounded by fans of the club.
I don't think many people would say "hey should we go to Penrose for dinner on Tuesday?"
If we tag onto the Waterfront stadium, then a Warriors Leagues club and Auckland football club built into the stadium precinct would be fantastic.
Same with the Dragons, their leagues club is right across the street in Carlton.
 
Im only basing my opinion on the only 2 leagues clubs I'm familiar with.. Eels and Broncos Leagues clubs.. they are functional because they are open week long with bars and restaurants when fans/families/non league supporters go. They are also built in residential areas surrounded by fans of the club.
I don't think many people would say "hey should we go to Penrose for dinner on Tuesday?"
If we tag onto the Waterfront stadium, then a Warriors Leagues club and Auckland football club built into the stadium precinct would be fantastic.

The thought of having a premiership parade through the city, ending at the leagues club by the stadium wowweeee

I guess a "Leagues Club" type thing in Wynyard Quarter would have the same function, but it would be sick if we could have our own version of the Caxton as well- Give me a sloshed Stacey Jones standing on a table yelling "6 more songs!" please and thank you

Mohawk seems like he would be mates with Leo Malloy, so HQ maybe? 😂
 
I like that we have a billionaire driving a new stadium idea, but how realistic is it to get a stadium built in the city that has easy enough access for the public to get to. Yes, downtown Auckland would be humming before and after games but you could pretty much rule out Friday night games couldn't you?

Is there any other area that would make it more viable, though would obviously lose the downtown before and after game vibe? Like redo Mt Smart or build a new stadium in Manukau CIty?
 
I'm wondering if the billionaire owner thinks the 20 000 cap is a figure because of some of the stadiums that have recently been built for some MLS
Austin or Miami stadiums might be the vibe he's going for. Would be pretty spectacular for Warriors games but not scaleable capacity wise if we have a winning season.

 
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