From www.stff.co.nz
The Hamilton City Council has bailed out of its three-year deal with the Parramatta Eels league club, saying a loss of more than $200,000 over two years is too much for ratepayers to wear.
After meeting behind closed doors yesterday, the council voted 6-4 not to fund the Eels' annual home match against the Warriors at Waikato Stadium.
Four councillors missed the meeting.
Former stadiums' chairman Councillor Peter Bos, who voted to give the Eels one more chance, said he stood up for the stadium and for league fans.
"It's going to be hard for us to get league back now," he said.
"I pleaded for one more chance for them."
Cr Dave Macpherson said: "I thought there was more cost-cutting we could have tried."
Community and leisure committee chairwoman Pippa Mahood was disappointed with the decision.
"I felt we hadn't honestly given the public any warning."
The stadium, which was to have been a multi-events venue for Hamilton, was now limited to rugby and soccer, Cr Macpherson said.
Cr Joe di Maio said league had had their chance, Cr John Gower said it was a shame league people never supported the match and Cr Marijke Westphal said she was happy the right decision had been made by the council.
Mayor Michael Redman voted in favour of the Eels but said today he understood some councillors thought there were too many variables to continue to support the fixture.
A pre-season match between the Warriors and the Dragons in 2004 made money and attracted more than 22,000 fans. But the first NRL match proper lost $61,000, and this year's match lost $144,000.
Cool
Hopefully the Eels will now play their Home game against the Warriors at Parra Stadium which is just down the road from my place
The Hamilton City Council has bailed out of its three-year deal with the Parramatta Eels league club, saying a loss of more than $200,000 over two years is too much for ratepayers to wear.
After meeting behind closed doors yesterday, the council voted 6-4 not to fund the Eels' annual home match against the Warriors at Waikato Stadium.
Four councillors missed the meeting.
Former stadiums' chairman Councillor Peter Bos, who voted to give the Eels one more chance, said he stood up for the stadium and for league fans.
"It's going to be hard for us to get league back now," he said.
"I pleaded for one more chance for them."
Cr Dave Macpherson said: "I thought there was more cost-cutting we could have tried."
Community and leisure committee chairwoman Pippa Mahood was disappointed with the decision.
"I felt we hadn't honestly given the public any warning."
The stadium, which was to have been a multi-events venue for Hamilton, was now limited to rugby and soccer, Cr Macpherson said.
Cr Joe di Maio said league had had their chance, Cr John Gower said it was a shame league people never supported the match and Cr Marijke Westphal said she was happy the right decision had been made by the council.
Mayor Michael Redman voted in favour of the Eels but said today he understood some councillors thought there were too many variables to continue to support the fixture.
A pre-season match between the Warriors and the Dragons in 2004 made money and attracted more than 22,000 fans. But the first NRL match proper lost $61,000, and this year's match lost $144,000.
Cool
Hopefully the Eels will now play their Home game against the Warriors at Parra Stadium which is just down the road from my place
