From the log books of a twenty-year distress #DCC

Dunedin City Council has overcommitted to a stadium. Because of this we lose some sweet, uniting, smaller projects for the city.

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Plan for new 800-seat theatre at Dunedin rejected in report.

█ Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 67.2 KB)
Performing Arts in Dunedin – Options for the future

█ Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 774.6 KB)
Performing Arts in Dunedin – Options for the Future – Attachment: Report from Deloitte

### ODT Online Sat, 14 Nov 2009
Plan for theatre rejected
By David Loughrey
A plan for a new 800-seat theatre in Dunedin has been rejected in a report, which instead recommends the city’s theatres be overhauled at a cost of more than $14 million. The report leaves the future of the Athenaeum building, which the council bought in 2007 in part to provide for a new theatre, unclear.
Read more

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Sadly, another one down – but not out.
There are ways the community can help sort the future location and business plan for Ocean Beach Railway.

Otago Railway and Locomotive Society faces long-term problems, as its 700m railway line at Kettle Park may have to go when the council comes up with a management plan for an area affected by encroachment by the sea.

### ODT Online Fri, 13 Nov 2009
Rail group calls for heritage fund
By David Loughrey
A call for a fund to support Dunedin’s industrial heritage has not found favour with Dunedin City Council staff, who recommend it be rejected, saying it is “not a current priority”.
Read more

A reader’s reaction – Just like I always said…..

█ Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Draft Coastal Dune Reserve Management Plan

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Noah’s Ark – demolition by neglect, by Dunedin City Council.

As the tv ad says: that’s handy.
We’re a sustainable city council after all. [large question mark]

Practically any building of this kind can be conserved, adapted and or redeveloped. Ask any craft builder. But what would Mick Reece know about that.
What do people want to see at Marlow Park? Have that discussion with the community before any demolition takes place.

### ODT Online Sat, 14 Nov 2009
No covenant for this Ark
By Chris Morris
God may have commanded the construction of Noah’s Ark, but it appears only divine intervention can save Dunedin’s version of the vessel. The 64-year-old building which houses Noah’s Ark Cafe at the Marlow Park playground, near St Kilda beach, looks set to be demolished at the Dunedin City Council’s instruction.
Read more

█ Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 2.1 MB)
Former Noah’s Ark facility – Marlow Park

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Construction pic of the day

Stadium project manager

### ODT Sat 8 Aug 2009 (page 5)
In brief: Ieremia stadium project manager

Newly appointed Arrow International director Lale Ieremia would assume direct control of the construction of the $188 million Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza, it was announced yesterday.
Arrow is a Dunedin-based project management and construction company.
Arrow founding director Ron Anderson said Mr Ieremia joined the company in 1999 and had managed projects approaching $1 billion in value.
As well as overseeing the stadium construction, Mr Ieremia would also drive the company’s entry into future major projects.

This item is available in print and digital editions of the Otago Daily Times.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Looming big projects

### ODT Online Wed, 8 Jul 2009
Projects a boost for city firms
By Chris Morris
Amalgamated Builders Ltd (ABL) and Lund South staff in Dunedin made a combined bid to secure the subcontract for concrete work associated with the Forsyth Barr Stadium’s two main stands. The $8 million contract will provide work for up to 50 of their employees at the site.
Looming big projects in or near Dunedin include the Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Regent Theatre upgrade, the Dunedin Town Hall redevelopment, the next stage of the Otago Settlers Museum upgrade, the building of the Bunnings Warehouse and major changes to the Otago Corrections Facility at Milburn.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Eion Edgar on ‘stadium haters’

Another Old Boys’ Club member with a closed mind to genuine opposition.

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### nbr.co.nz Monday July 6 2009 – 07:56am
Forsyth Barr head confident Dunedin stadium haters will ‘see the light’
By Robert Smith
Any large construction project launched in New Zealand these days will attract criticism from those who can only see the negative, but the head of Dunedin stadium sponsor Forsyth Barr says he pays little attention to the doubters.
Read more

● Mr Edgar is a member of the NBR rich-list and 2004’s NBR New Zealander of the Year.

Forsyth Barr will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2011, when the stadium is due to be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Piles: Eight in, more than 500 to go

### Radio New Zealand News Updated at 7:40am on 28 June 2009
Construction work underway at Dunedin stadium site

Early construction works have begun at the site of Dunedin’s new stadium, a month after demolition works started.

Demolition will continue at the Awatea Street site for the next few months for the controversial $198 million enclosed stadium.

Many opponents claimed the ground at the new site would be boggy and unsuitable for construction on such a scale, but Carisbrook Stadium Trust development director Darren Burden says eight piles have been successfully drilled in.

Mr Burden says that gives the trust some confidence, though there are still more than 500 piles to go in.

It is hoped the stadium will be built in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Link

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Not reported are the piles that sank without trace…

See the post from Alex on Friday:

“I heard yesterday that there was surprise amongst engineers when they dropped some piles down on the site, they disappeared completely into the ground (sediment?).
And, that the cost has gone up, $35 million has ‘appeared’ on the cost, beyond what was calculated for interest and inflation.
Sorry I can’t back this up with facts guys …”

CST's Ewan Soper moves on

Oh-oh, the job description becomes another ‘9-page’ document, detailing the role of stadium operator and event manager, as we feared…

### ODT Online Sat, 16 May 2009
Contract ends for stadium executive
By David Loughrey

Carisbrook Stadium Trust chief executive Ewan Soper has finished his contract with the trust, and plans to let someone with skills in organising the construction of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, and setting up an events management business, take over.
Read more

D Scene: 'Jobs, jobs, jobs'

### D Scene 29-4-09 (page 3)
By Ryan Keen

For the government, it really became a no-brainer to grant $15 million towards the construction of the city’s ambitious and highly controversial roofed stadium project.
{continues}

Register to read D Scene online at http://fairfaxmedia.newspaperdirect.com/

### D Scene 29-4-09 (page 5)
Roofed wonder: Construction companies hail project as saviour
Stadium to spur big jobs boom
By Michelle Sutton

Dunedin’s $200 million stadium is being heralded as a saviour by the city’s flailing construction industry. Building bosses say jobs were going to be shed from Dunedin’s construction sector unless the project was given the green light.
{story continues}

Contract signed

### Radio New Zealand News Updated at 4:08pm on 27 April 2009
Dunedin mayor signs contract to build stadium
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin has signed a contract for the construction of the city’s stadium. The $165 million contract with Hawkins Construction means work can start at the Awatea Street site in May.
RNZ Link

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### Channel 9 News April 27, 2009 – 7:24pm
Legal Contract of the Forsyth Barr Stadium signed
The legal contract between the Dunedin City Council and Hawkins Construction for the construction of Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza was signed this afternoon. Mayor Peter Chin put pen to paper during a DCC Extraordinary Meeting today.
Video Link

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█ Construction Contract for the Proposed Forsyth Barr Stadium at the University Plaza – Chief Executive Jim Harland’s report to Dunedin City Council (dated 20 April 2009).

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

The hive of industry…

### ODT Online Sat, 25 Apr 2009
Big plans for stadium opening
By Chris Morris
Workers will move on to the Awatea St, Dunedin, site within weeks to begin construction of the $198 million stadium, after a High Court judge yesterday dismissed Stop the Stadium’s last-minute attempt to derail the project.
Read more

### ODT Online Sat, 25 Apr 2009
Councillors swing in behind stadium
By Chris Morris
Dunedin city councillors staunchly opposed to the $198 million Otago stadium have thrown their support behind it, saying it is time for the city to “move on”.
Read more

Comment at ODT Online by MikeStk
Sat, 25/04/2009 – 10:17am
700?
Now we’re hiring 700, last month it was 600 – where will the money for this come from? Simple math implies the $198M will soon be $230M.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Glory be: Employment = Rugby

### National Business Review Friday April 24 2009 – 03:55pm
Dunedin stadium will employ 500 for two years to be ready for RWC
By Robert Smith
If you can swing a hammer or operate heavy machinery you might be needed down south. With the last legal barrier kicked into touch, construction of Dunedin’s new $200 million stadium will begin in a matter of weeks, with more than 500 workers required for 2 years to get in done in time for the Rugby World Cup.
Read more

Who? Hawkins Construction Ltd

### Contractor Vol 31 No 6 July 2007
Hawkins Construction: Sixty the new forte
By Gavin Riley
Founded in 1947, Hawkins Construction is at the top of its game as it powers past its diamond jubilee.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr