New management for Invercargill’s Rugby Park

Invercargill Venue and Events Management is to take on the task of maximising the earning potential of Invercargill’s Rugby Park stadium.

The Council Controlled Organiation (CCO), will run the loss making venue on behalf of the Invercargill City Council when the Council officially takes it over from the Southland Outdoor Stadium Trust.

Councillors voted in February to take over the ownership of the debt-ridden Rugby Park, home of the Southland Stags.

Invercargill Venue and Events Management (IVEM) currently manages the South Island city’s Scottish Hall and Civic Theatre.

Commenting on the new management arrangement, Council Head of Finance Dean Johnston told The Southland Times “(this will) give us an independent body to promote the venues and work with promoters to make (events) successful."

IVEM staff are currently investigating ways it to promote Rugby Park to a wider audience and plan a marketing campaign to promote the facility for corporate events and weddings.

Johnston added “the more money they can make out of it, the less cost to the ratepayer ... their job is to get it hired out every week with weddings, meetings, conferences."

Mindful of the challenges of managing outdoor stadiums in New Zealand, the Council aim to maximise Rugby Park’s earning potential to ease the burden on ratepayers.

With a regular season capacity of 18,000 Rugby Park is the home ground for ITM Cup team Southland.

While the ground is currently owned by the Southland Outdoor Stadium Trust, debts accrued by the Trust have led to Council being set to take over the running of the venue.

The Council already contributes in excess of $250,000 each year into the stadium’s operating and maintenance costs.

10th July 2012 - SOUTHLAND OUTDOOR STADIUM TRUST STRUGGLING FOR FUNDS