$5 million to fix leaky roof at the Caketin

Wellington's Westpac Stadium Trust has filed a $4.86 million claim for damages in the New Zealand High Court against contractors who built the stadium, after years of negotiations over repair work for a leaky roof and rusting cladding failed to reach an agreement.

However, with the Rugby World Cup looming, Wellington ratepayers are likely to have to meet the repair costs in advance of a final decision. Opened in 1999, the $130 million, 34,500-seat stadium is largely funded by Wellington City Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC).

In a recent report to the City Council, the Trust says it has been forced into court action, the report stating âthe trust has made strenuous efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement with the relevant contractors, but has not been able to achieve a satisfactory response."

Any claim through the courts has to be filed within 10 years of the code of compliance certificate being issued. The claim was filed on 10th December, one day before that deadline passed.

Stadium Chief Executive David Gray said the roof was a major problem, with leaks around the stadium, including some over the seating areas.

As Gray explained in a report in Wellington's Dominion Post newspaper, âit does piss people off if they get leaked on."

Other internal leaks were causing water damage, Gray added while cladding problems included rust, and the wrong screws being used.

Gray acknowledged "there are a number of issues around design and construction."

 The problems were first noticed about four years after the stadium was built, and negotiations over who would foot the bill had been continuing with contractors for about five years.

Settlement was still the preferred option, as it was important to fix the building as soon as possible, Gray said "the leaking roof, in particular, will have to be fixed before the Rugby World Cup."

If agreement did not occur soon, work would be carried out and costs recovered, he said.
Rugby World Cup Tournament Services Manager Nigel Cass said he was aware of the problem, adding "we have discussed this issue with the stadium and we have been assured there will be no impact on fans' enjoyment at Rugby World Cup time."

Wellington concert promoter Phil Sprey said he had noticed leaks while using the stadium.

The corporate boxes at the northern end, and the corridor linking boxes, were among the affected areas.

Sprey advised "you don't want to see anything like that if you're renting a venue."

The repairs come as the stadium gears up for fiercer competition after the World Cup.
In a draft statement of intent presented to the GWRC, the stadium trust highlights increased competition in the long term from the new stadium being built in Dunedin and from the expanded Eden Park.

Those stadiums would be under pressure from local authorities to justify ratepayer funding, meaning some "uneconomic deals" might have to be done to secure events for Wellington, the report said.

It went on to state "we expect to do some events at reduced margins and we must be prepared to meet the market conditions."

But Gray said Westpac Stadium would hold its own so long as it was aware of the competition.

Wellington Regional Council Chairwoman Fran Wilde was also confident the stadium would compete. It was already attracting more events than expected, and had big advantages over places such as Eden Park because it was close to public transport and the city centre.