Temporary Hutt City stadium to host Wellington Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix has confirmed that they will play three of their 2014/15 A-League matches in a temporary stadium at Hutt City’s Hutt Recreation Ground.

The Phoenix’s season in February and March 2015 will be disrupted by the Cricket World Cup, which takes out a number of stadia in New Zealand, including Wellington’s Westpac Stadium.

The problem will be solved by the Phoenix building a temporary stadium at Hutt Recreation Ground, in conjunction with Hutt City Council.

Hutt City Councit General Manager Community Services Matt Reid said that the Phoenix coming to town will be a fantastic opportunity for the local community to be part of something special.

Reid stated “Lower Hutt is set to be ‘the’ place for local football fans early next year.

“We’ll not only showcase our city and our premier ground, Hutt Rec’, but we’ll give our community the opportunity to engage with some of their heroes.

“We’ll work closely with the Phoenix to get players out to schools and the wider community which will add to the buzz these games will generate in our city.

“We’re equally committed to working with regular users of the ground to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum during this time as we make the most of this exciting trio of fixtures.”

Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome added “the Club and the Hutt City Council are aligned in the vision of these games being a fantastic community day out with activities for families, cultural groups and demonstrations and all sorts of entertainment.

“The ground will have a maximum 9,000 capacity, which is likely to sell out given the novelty factor and what we have planned.

“Season ticket holders and Club Members will get first crack at tickets for the three matches.

“A lot of credit has to go to the Hutt City Council in their willingness to take these games on and build something really special around these matches.”

Earlier this year the Phoenix's plans for the development of a new sports stadium were voted down by Hutt City councillors.

17th July 2014 - COUNCILLORS VOTE DOWN PLANS FOR NEW PETONE STADIUM