Tauranga City Council to undertake stadium feasibility study

Tauranga City Council is to undertake a feasibility study into the development of a new stadium for the Bay of Plenty region.

With Council officials reportedly having undertaken initial investigations into a new venue for over a year, funding has now been committed to take that investigation to the next level.

After over a decade of venue proposals - from a $25 million ‘boutique stadium’ in 2015 to mayoral candidate Hori Bop's stadium-centred campaign - a stadium establishment group was formed last January to gather evidence around the potential for a sub-regional Western Bay of Plenty stadium.

The group has commissioned an economic benefit study from the University of Waikato on the impact of a stadium in Tauranga, which was due in early 2019.

Before Christmas, the Council committed $20,000 towards the total $85,000 cost of a needs assessment, progressing to a full feasibility study if sufficient need for the stadium is established.

The Council’s partners - Sport New Zealand, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and economic development agency Priority One - are also expected to contribute funding, with $10,000 designated for "community contribution".

Images: Rugby action at Tauranga's ASB Baypark Stadium.