Invercargill City Council now the official owner of Rugby Park

The Invercargill City Council now officially owns Rugby Park Stadium after the final ownership documents were signed yesterday morning (Friday 8th July).

Inspite of the change of ownership, Council-owned Invercargill Venue and Events Management Ltd. (IVEM) will continue to manage the stadium alongside its other venues, the Civic Theatre and Scottish Hall, and make it available for public use.

Invercargill City Mayor, Tim Shadbolt, said it was a great victory for the rugby fans of Southland, stating “rugby is a vital part of Southland’s culture and heritage.

“For many Southlanders, winning and holding the Ranfurly Shield over two seasons and hosting three of the 2011 Rugby World Cup matches were sporting highlights for the region. The Council is proud of its role in saving this important sporting facility.”

IEVM took on the management of Rugby Park from the debt-ridden Southland Outdoor Stadium Trust (SOST) in May last year.

The change of ownership of Rugby Park follows peer review of remedial work to address historic leaks and maintenance problems undertaken at the venue by a weather tightness consultant.

Council Director of Finance Dean Johnston explained that the Council, in 2015, entered into an agreement whereby the Trust would gift Rugby Park to Council, in return for Council paying a $400,000 debt that SOST owed to the Community Trust of Southland.

Johnstone stated “Council’s aim was to keep the facility open for the public and the region, as without intervention there was a credible risk that it would have to close, effectively leaving the province without a facility to hold first class rugby matches."

As part of this contract, Council also provided $250,000 per annum to IVEM, comprising of $100,000 to cover operating costs and $150,000 to cover maintenance issues for Rugby Park.

Johnston, who is also on the Board of IVEM, said there had been a lot of stories and rumours in the public arena as to problems at Rugby Park with leaks and damage to the facility.

He added "in order to fully understand the extent of these issues, IVEM contracted an independent building surveyor and weather tightness consultant to provide a report on the current state of the grandstand and develop a plan to remediate the facility."

The consultant’s report explained that the work has been carried out to a high standard and the water entry issues have been resolved.

IVEM, which also manages the Civic Theatre and the Scottish Hall, is now working on behalf of ratepayers to ensure that the facility was open, properly maintained and running in sustainable, financially prudent manner.

Main image of Rugby Park courtesy of SANZAR.

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