SAVE Sammy’s (former His Majesty’s Theatre & Agricultural Hall)

Agricultural Hall. Burton Brothers studio. Te Papa Archives [C.012324]

His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin [render via realestate.co.nz]

Sammy’s portico to Crawford Street [dunedinmusic.com]

REAL ESTATE BLURB | Built 1896 Agricultural Hall 1902 Renamed His Majesty’s Theatre 1983 Sammy’s Cabaret & Restaurant
Time for someone else to take over the reins – with fresh enthusiasm and ideas for this iconic Dunedin property. Located in the heart of Dunedin’s rapidly developing ‘Warehouse Precinct’ it lends itself to a multitude of uses. Building 1500m with frontages to both Crawford & Vogel Streets. http://www.remax.co.nz/10395003

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█ SOUL DESTROYING LACK OF DISTRICT PLAN SCHEDULING
‘An offer pending consent for Sammy’s would more likely mean plans to considerably alter or demolish the building.’ –Glen Hazelton, DCC Policy Planner (Heritage)

█ SHINING LIGHTS
“It’s already protected under our Act, that’s the main thing.” –Matthew Schmidt, HNZ Otago Southland regional archaeologist

### ODT Online Wed, 18 Nov 2015
Uncertain future for venue
By Craig Borley
Demolition could be an option for Sammy’s, one of Dunedin’s most loved live music venues and one of the warehouse precinct’s largest buildings. On the market for “a few months” and with a list price of $240,000, the 1896 building had attracted attention from several potential buyers, owner Sam Chin said yesterday. Interest from one of those potential buyers was contingent on gaining a resource consent, Mr Chin said. He could not name the potential buyer and did not know what that resource consent was for.
Read more

BIG QUEST TO FIND THE RIGHT NEW OWNER – MEANWHILE, CITIZEN DUTY TO PROTECT THE BUILDING AS AN ICONIC PRESENCE IN VOGEL STREET HERITAGE PRECINCT AND WAREHOUSE PRECINCT

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Sammy’s Dunedin NZ 7.9.12 [Sola Rosa via staticflickr.com]

Sammy’s (2011) [alizarinlizard.blogspot.co.nz]

“….we got back to Dunedin by lunchtime and unloaded the P.A gear into Sammys then went home an slept the rest of the day till we had to come back an sound check..
but yeah, played later on that night and had a blast. Sammys looks absolutely amazing now days if you havent seen it already.”
–Alizarin Lizard, Dunedin psych-pop quartet

But what looked good at night under lights in 2011 was profoundly “trouble” due to lack of diligent building repair and maintenance, or any appreciation for fire safety…. and more words from Mr Chin….

[via comments at What if? Dunedin]

Elizabeth
June 1, 2011 at 2:58 am
### D Scene 1-6-11
Future of Sammy’s uncertain after eviction (page 3)
The future of notable Dunedin music venue Sammy’s is uncertain, after the eviction earlier this week of the operators of the Crawford St business. Building owner Sam Chin told D Scene yesterday that he had moved into the venue on Monday night and changed the locks. “The venue is closed for now and we’re just cleaning things up.”
{continues} #bookmark [search required]

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Elizabeth
June 2, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Tweet:
(2 June, 8:32pm) @DunedinTV Sammy’s closed down due to being in a complete state of disrepair http://tinyurl.com/43dprnf #channel9 #dunedin #tv #nz

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Elizabeth
June 23, 2011 at 2:33 pm
### ODT Online Thu, 23 Jun 2011
Nightclub owner angry over damage at venue
By Nigel Benson
Sammy’s owner Sam Chin has experienced some wild nights at the nightclub over the years. But he was not prepared for the sight which greeted him when he changed the locks on the building three weeks ago, after not receiving rent from the lessee since November. […] The venue opened in 1896 as the Agricultural Hall, before being renamed His Majesty’s Theatre, and has a long history as a hall, theatre and live music venue. Mr Chin said he wanted to maintain that tradition and reopen it for concerts next month.
Read more

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Elizabeth
August 7, 2011 at 11:36 am
### ODT Online Sun, 7 Aug 2011
Sammy’s set to reopen this month
By Nigel Benson
Sammy’s will reopen this month after being closed in June for refurbishment. Owner Sam Chin shut the venue after the building fell into disrepair. He said yesterday demand had led to him taking bookings again. […] “We had a lot of inquiries about when we were going to reopen. It’s such a good space with plenty of room for 500-plus people. We’ve already got three or four university graduation dinners booked in over the next couple of weeks.”
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

University of Otago student mayhem continues, another LOSS for Harls

Star reporter David Beck notes feral practices and bully-tactics.

### ODT Online Sun, 1 Nov 2015
Students undergo hazing rituals for flats
By David Beck – The Star
Dunedin tertiary students who have secured flats in popular areas such as Castle St and Hyde St are being put through hazing rituals by tenants leaving the flats. Flat initiations are particularly common for students securing a flat for their second year of study and generally involve excessive amounts of alcohol.
Read more

█ Students needing support and advice in this area can contact Student Health, Campus Watch and staff at the university colleges.

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### ODT Online Sun, 1 Nov 2015
Red cards a booze-fuelled tradition
By David Beck – The Star
The scarfie tradition of red cards is all about doing something new and having a good time, a university graduate says. Each person in a flat is allowed to pull one red card during the year. On the day they decide to use it, the rest of the flat has to participate in whatever alcohol-fuelled activity the holder has decided on.
Read more

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### ODT Online Sun, 1 Nov 2015
Police out in numbers in student area
Police have turned out in numbers in the student area of Dunedin this morning after a disruptive night combining Halloween and Rugby World Cup final celebrations.
Read more

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One practice David Beck has missed (see various
student-authored social media reports) is sexual predation visited on young women by feral young men, read Students —recently brought to the attention of What if? Dunedin.

(Frankly, practically) None of this is helped by ultra short skirts and visible G-strings worn by ‘accessible’ young women, to Dunedin night venues and popup parties. YES that is a non-PC statement but hey.

It’s hard to report sexual assault if you’ve been surrounded (while you’re drunk or drugged, or not) on the dance floor by young men exercising pack instinct and intent. The case of whose finger was it anyway. YES, this in Your Swill Town.

The University, Police and Council authorities wouldn’t have a clue about what/who/how to manage the manifold risks posed to vulnerable young people studying at Dunedin —outstanding ignorance, blindness and naïveté pertain within the Establishment, whose business (MARKETING) it has been to play down the more unsavoury aspects of Student party life here.

The University of Otago and NZ Police FAIL to monitor, DO NOT investigate, and DO NOT offer strong guidance on Student use of social media at Dunedin. These ‘encounters’ make the recent Roast Busters case at Auckland seem trivial if not ephemeral. The ‘Stewards of Dunedin’ reside in the Dark Ages, a place not enlightened by smartphone use for good or bad. There is BAD. Despite the law change based on the outcome of the Roast Busters investigation, sadistic criminal behaviours at Dunedin go unpoliced. And unreported to Police.

Keep partying why not. Sell more drinks, more party drugs?
No-one wants to talk about it. Jolly the young sweet things along.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: samsunghdwallpaper.com – The Best Doll wallpaper for Samsung smartphone

DCC: Public finance forum | Tuesday August 12, 2014

ALL WELCOME
Cr Richard Thomson provides venue details for the Public Finance Forum.

Event: DCC Public Finance Forum
Date: Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Venue: Dunningham Room, 4th Floor, City Library, 230 Moray Place

Notes: Questions in advance to Cr Richard Thomson, Chair of Finance Committee (contact details below).

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—– Original Message —–
From: Richard Thomson
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Sent: Sunday, 13 Jul 2014 at 11.04 AM
Subject: Public Finance Forum

Dear Elizabeth

when we did the last finance forum there seemed general agreement that it was a worthwhile exercise and I suggested that we schedule another for after that adoption of the annual plan. That has now ocurred and we have set a date of 12th August for this. I would be grateful if you could advise your network on What if of this. As last time it would be really helpful if people could advise questions in advance. Often they require specific information and if we have them in advance we can provide that on the night which is good for others there as well. I am happy for these to be forwarded directly to me. The meeting will be held from 5.30 to 7.30 on the 12th August. Venue to be confirmed but I imagine it will be the same room in the Council chambers as we used last time.

Regards
Richard [Cr Richard Thomson]

Mobile Contact: 027 2245739
Office Contact: 03 4770623 ext 12
Fax: 03 4774028

[richard.thomson @ xtra.co.nz]

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Related Posts and Comments:
13.7.14 DCC: Public finance forum [invitation]
17.12.13 DCC, Dunedin City Treasury and 3 big banks [Interest Rate Swaps]
23.11.13 DCC: Finance Committee [public forum] 27 November
17.11.13 DCC Finance Committee: Public meeting 27 November

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Thoughts on marketing

Received from Hype O’Thermia
Sun, 8 Jun 2014 at 11:11 am

Strategy guru, Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter was speaking at the World Business Forum in Sydney on Wednesday and highlighted two key features of a good business strategy.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/10127196/The-value-of-unhappy-customers

“….1. Choose a distinctive value proposition.

Porter says leaders must decide which customers they are serving and then work out what are the needs of those customers that the business is a “master” at fulfilling.

“We can be pretty good at some things, but what are we going to stand out on? Customer services? Product design? Customisation? Which particular needs of that set of customers do we really want to meet and what price will we ask?”

Leaders should decide what the value proposition is and how it compares with competitors.

“Because, unless we have a unique value proposition, unless we have different answers to these questions than our competitors, then we have no strategy. We are just competing on operational effectiveness,” he says…..”

The university / rugby / stadium would do well to look at that and ask how their “marketing” lines up with that sensible advice.

Tourists and other visitors do not come here for a stadium. Some come here to watch a game, a concert. Where it is held is of little importance. When it’s what they want to see – it’s what they want to see.

Over-filling accommodation and eats and drinks venues once in a while is poor business. It’s a big boom, long bust strategy. It’s temp staff working their guts out, then days and weeks, possibly months, of having short hours and thin paydays.

Amusements as an attraction to students is likely to attract young people who are more interested in prolonged privileged adolescence than the quality of the teaching and research available. Fostering these people as bar clients is an effective way of parting them from their money, at some cost to the rest of us in terms of messy antisocial behaviour, and isn’t doing them any long-term favours. We have seen something in the drive to cater to students, that is not unlike the cynical placement of disproportionate numbers of pokies in low-income suburbs.

[ends]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Stadium: GOBs’ crush FLATTENED

[RIP, fubar]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*GOB —good old boy

DVML . . . | ‘Make the stadium work’ losses continue

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) —operating losses and compounding debt

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### ODT Online Tue, 1 Oct 2013
DVML loss bigger than forecast
By Chris Morris
Ratepayers will not be hit in the pocket again despite the company running Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium missing its mark by nearly $700,000. Dunedin Venues Management Ltd on Monday revealed a $986,000 loss for the 2012-13 year, which chief executive Darren Burden said represented progress after a $3.21 million loss the previous year. However, the company had been forecasting an even better turnaround, with a $298,000 loss predicted for 2012-13 in a statement of intent published in July last year.

In the end, the $986,000 loss was $688,000 worse than expected, the company’s annual report confirmed.

Mr Burden said the loss could be covered internally using income from other sources, such as ground memberships and other private sector sponsorship arrangements.

Mr Burden said the forecasts for 2012-13 were actually completed in early 2012, about 18 months before this week’s results were released. Because of that, they were also based on only about six months of trading by DVML, he said. For those reasons, there was always going to be ”a level of uncertainty”, but the accuracy of future forecasts should improve, he said.
Read more

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Associated comments at ODT Online, in the public interest:

Really?
Submitted by overit on Thu, 03/10/2013 – 9:24pm.

As has been pointed out elsewhere, these figures may not be true reflection of the FB Stadium earning its way. Now that DVML has other income streams from the Railway Station and the Dunedin Centre it would be very interesting to see what the separated financial result for FB stadium is rather than DVML as a whole.

Maybe the ODT could report on this?

A grip
Submitted by russandbev on Wed, 02/10/2013 – 6:38pm.

MikeStK, the Larsen report and the PWC report – both of which were published in the ODT – made it plain that the whole basis of the stadium’s finances were nothing than hyperbole. Huge under-estimation of costs of construction, huge over-estimation of economic benefits, and under-estimation of on-going operational costs. By now, surely most proponents of this White Elephant can see how completely destructive this project has been on Dunedin’s well-being. The only people or groups to have benefited directly from this project have been the very fortunate land owners who sold at round 3 times the budgeted amounts, the private CST who received regular fees for their management of the project, the various “consultants” who provided glowing future forecasts for stadium usage which have all proved to be optimistic at best, the ORFU who have been bailed out, the few promoters that have received subsidies for bringing in the few shows that have been staged at the stadium, the anonymous economic impact analysts who provide regular non-peer group reviewed reports on mythical income, and of course the highly paid executives of the entities themselves who seem to make sure the balls are continually being juggled to obscure the true position.

And of course the people to pay for all of this are the ratepayers. Behind it all are the potential governance people who, it seems largely, want to just pretend that all in the garden is lovely. Well, everyone now has the opportunity to make your views known. If you don’t vote, then you are as much to blame as those that made this mess happen. Vote wisely.

Diverting debt repayments
Submitted by MikeStk on Wed, 02/10/2013 – 1:26pm.

Now just a minute – back when we were pretending that income from memberships were really “private fundraising” rather than pre-purchased ticket sales the city borrowed $45m to cover the fact that this money wasn’t going to be paid up front but would instead dribble in over 5-10 years. If Mr Burden’s now going to divert this money that was supposed to be used to pay off the debt borrowed against this future income to paying off his own losses who is going to pay off the actual $45m in principal and associated interest?

This whole rugby stadium thing appears to be a giant game of cups and balls.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: Dunedin Venues logo overstitched (re-imaged by Whatifdunedin)

Stadium: Leonard Cohen not coming

Leonard Cohen plans to visit New Zealand in December. Photo / AP

### nzherald.co.nz 6:45 AM Tuesday Jul 30, 2013
Tour news: Leonard Cohen to play three NZ shows
Leonard Cohen has announced a full New Zealand tour in December, taking in the country’s three major cities. Cohen – who last played here in October, 2010 to packed venues – will perform in Christchurch on December 14, Wellington on December 17, and Auckland on December 21. Cohen will be performing with his nine-piece band that includes Sharon Robinson, the Webb Sisters and musical director Roscoe Beck.
Read more

ODT 30.7.13 Leonard Cohen announces NZ dates

NZH 28.1.12 Leonard Cohen: In his own good time
NZH 21.8.10 Essence of Leonard Cohen

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Dunedin Town Hall (sic) and Dunedin Centre reopen this week

“The entire complex is now known as the Dunedin Centre.”

● Dunedin Town Hall will always be known as Dunedin Town Hall, not a flower by another name !!!!

● Godsakes, ditch DVML as the venue operator !!!!

● UPDATE 24.4.13 – Major stuff up. DVML mismanages Town Hall seating plan for Anzac Day Revue. Those with prebooked seats will be treated as general admission. ODT

Related Post:
7.3.13 Town Hall, Dunedin Centre, Municipal Chambers #linked

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Dunedin City Council
Media Release

Busy Times Ahead for Revamped Dunedin Centre

This item was published on 22 Apr 2013.

The doors don’t open to the public until Thursday, but the redeveloped Dunedin Centre has already got bookings through until May 2015.

Some large events are already booked, including national and international conferences such as the Ingenium Conference and the 5th Global Botanic Gardens Congress. There are also concert bookings by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music New Zealand and the Southern Sinfonia, as well as bookings for school formals, graduations, weddings and private functions.

Invited guests will join Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull in a low-key civic ceremony on Wednesday morning to celebrate the Dunedin Centre’s new lease of life. The first performance will be the Dunedin RSA Choir performance in the Town Hall on Anzac Day.

Mr Cull says, “The Dunedin Centre complex is very much an events centrepiece for our city and it’s great to see there are a number of bookings already.”

About $45 million has been spent over several years upgrading and renovating the existing Dunedin Centre/Town Hall and Municipal Chambers (work on the latter was completed in August 2011). The entire complex is now known as the Dunedin Centre.

Key elements of the overall upgrade include linkages between all buildings to enable people to move easily within what is now an integrated convention centre. There will be lift access to all Dunedin Centre and Town Hall floors, including the Town Hall ceiling, as well as major technology upgrades, new kitchen facilities, new conference/function spaces and new toilets. Another key feature of the redevelopment is a raft of sophisticated behind-the-scenes improvements, which mean the buildings now meet regulations in areas such as fire protection, health and safety, ventilation and access.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Stadium: Animal safety and welfare top priority? #Dunedin

Screenshot.

“Doors open at 3:30pm with equestrian action kicking off the evening’s entertainment, thrilling the crowd from every angle. It will include everything from international show jumping and the high-paced action of mounted games, to the masterfully crafted grace, power and beauty of dressage to music. The stadium’s intimate feel will only add to the spectacle, bringing its own unique party atmosphere.

The highlight of the equestrian action will be the McMillian Equine Feeds Super Grand Prix, boasting a $50,000 prize, making it the second biggest Grand Prix in Australasia. Run over two rounds, the competition will feature some of Australasia’s leading jumping combinations.

As the equestrian entertainment draws to a close, The Hollies will take to the stage bringing down the curtain on Dunedin’s biggest night of the year, providing hours of entertainment.” http://www.ridetherhythm.co.nz/

Equestrian Information

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Comments received.

Phil
Submitted on 2013/01/03 at 9:53 am

I read somewhere that the “highlight” is an attempt on the NZ high jumping record for horses. I’ve seen these events many time around the world and they can be incredibly dangerous for the horses. The height and force they land from/with puts tremendous stresses on their frames. Because of this, any attempt competition is always made on a specially prepared surface. They do not, repeat NOT, come down from 2+ metres onto a heavily compacted football pitch with all the forgiving qualities of a concrete slab. The riders are only ever specialist jumpers on horses trained specifically for this one event. Allowing this cowboy production to perform in our town puts a cloud over us all. Leave the rest in, drop the prices to match the product and get rid of the ridiculous jump. Show the animals some respect.

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Phil
Submitted on 2013/01/03 at 9:43 am

You would think that someone with a knighthood would ask his reporters to check a story instead of simply posting a copy of the promoter’s advertising flyer and calling it journalism. Like the infamous rodeo, this is another overhyped event. There is only one legitimate show jumper on the start list, and she has sold the horse that gave her a name. Riding a new young horse is like expecting a Formula One driver to show his top skills while driving a Ford Escort. Riding is all about combinations. All top riders will be in Europe in February, at the height of the competition season, where their top horses are permanently based. The other so called “Olympians” date back almost 20 years and were Eventers. Expecting them to give a quality specialist display is like expecting a top Triathlete to win the Tour De France. These promoters are going to want to charge top dollar for tickets. The very least they could do is to be upfront about the product. Probably a bit much to ask. They have managed to shoot themselves in the foot a bit, however. So there is some justice. The date of the event is the same date as the national Dressage riding championships in Christchurch. A bit of a lesson in researching your target audience before trying to screw them.

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The Animal Welfare Act 1999 is a very wide-ranging Act and deals with offences in the handling and management of animals (including fish and birds) in this country. For a full guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999, visit the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) webpage.

SPCA Otago – Dunedin
http://www.spcaotago.org.nz/

General Enquiries:
Email: office@otago-spca.org.nz
Phone: 03 473 8252
Fax: 03 473 8169
Please do not send an email for animal welfare or emergencies. Please phone us on the above number.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 4.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: 1pm to 3pm

The Haven:
SPCA Otago Centre, 1 Torridon Street, Opoho, Dunedin 9010

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

University meetings

Comment received.

ormk
Submitted on 2012/05/13 at 8:28 pm

BTW…for anyone University with influence who is listening…there have been several small meetings scheduled at the stadium. Can this please be stopped? A lot of people simply cannot attend them on a matter of principal. It is therefore divisive to schedule any University event at this venue. There are places in the University where events can be scheduled for everyone.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DVML report: $1.9 million loss

### ODT Online Wed, 9 May 2012
Dunedin stadium posts $19m loss
By Chris Morris
The size of the financial hole occupied by Dunedin Venues Management Ltd – the company tasked with running the Forsyth Barr Stadium – has been confirmed. Figures released at a media conference this afternoon showed the company had lost $1.9 million in the first six months of the 2011-12 financial year. Projected full-year results were yet to be released, but were expected to be worse.

Losses were now also expected for the following two financial years, and expected to be confirmed when DVML released an updated statement of intent later today.

Read more + Video

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

ODT: “the cupboard has been bare” [still is]

The most oblique of editorials, seemingly written without a business brain or any sense of economics. What do you do with a multimillion dollar debt-funded loss-making multipurpose RUGBY stadium? Let’s see, bring in the children? (the very ones saddled with the ongoing cost of DCC’s criminally damaging foresight, this grand vision of the future)…

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### ODT Online Mon, 7 May 2012
Editorial: The stadium shake-up
Dunedin City Council’s decision to instigate a review of Forsyth Barr Stadium and the company tasked with running it, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, is the correct one. The review, announced by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull last week, was sparked by the resignation of DVML chief executive David Davies, who intends to leave the position in March after being appointed to the role in October 2009. Mr Cull has indicated the review will look at the financial, operating and governance models of the stadium and says it may result in changes for DVML and the role of its future chief executive. Much appears to depend on the findings of the Pricewaterhouse Coopers audit of stadium costs, as well as DVML’s six-month financial results, both of which are due to be made public later this month.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Davies gave it a shot, next…

### ODT Online Thu, 3 May 2012
Stadium boss in shock resignation
By Chris Morris
The man tasked with making a success of Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium is resigning and will return to England. David Davies, the chief executive of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, yesterday confirmed he had given notice of his intention to resign, citing family reasons. He plans to continue in his DVML role until March next year, when he will follow his family back to England. The shock decision was confirmed in a written statement issued by DVML board chairman Sir John Hansen late yesterday, prompted by Otago Daily Times questions earlier in the day.
Read more

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### ODT Online Thu, 3 May 2012
Emotional Davies explains stadium exit
By Chris Morris
An emotional David Davies says he is returning to England to keep his family together. Mr Davies, the chief executive of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, was speaking at a hastily-arranged press conference at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin this morning. […] He paid tribute to his DVML staff and acknowledged the role did not come without challenges, but insisted his “conscience was clear” when it came to his performance and that of the stadium.
Read more

[More tomorrow]

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Ugly mug raised from Lakes retreat

Who is liable for this situation?

A letter to the editor by Russell Garbutt appears in the Otago Daily Times today, he asks [excerpts]:

• Who takes responsibility and accountability within council for ignoring the very specific warnings from a large number of ratepayers that the whole “private funding” model now described by Mayor Cull as “stupid” was exactly that?

• Finally, who takes responsibility and accountability within the DCC and the CST for not knowing that their close business partner, the ORFU, was insolvent and had been living on pokie funds and hope for many years?

Read the full letter here.

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Stadium trust’s negotiations and contracts soundly based

Malcolm Farry, chairman of Carisbrook Stadium Charitable Trust endeavours to “clarify the issues” [excerpts]:

• At 4.54pm on Thursday, February 5, 2009, the CST signed a venue hire agreement with ORFU and the Highlanders.

• The negotiations had been a drawn out affair and the CST was forced to take a very tough, uncompromising position. The ORFU and Highlanders naturally resisted this position, so eventually, we engaged an accounting consultant to consider the position of all parties. He provided recommendations, a model for the future and a compromise as to the costs of the required seats.

• These proposals were accepted by all parties.

• Jim Harland, then chief executive of the Dunedin City Council, took over all future discussions and negotiations with the ORFU and Highlanders.

• The private sector fundraising was clearly stated to be based on the sale of membership seats and corporate suites, sponsorship and the sale of naming rights. This programme was first outlined at the first public presentation held at the Southern Cross Hotel on August 11, 2006. The CST has never moved from this position.

• The CST lost the role of operator, so it was never to apply its passion, expertise, local knowledge and commitment to the operation and management of the completed stadium. That role fell instead to the new company DVML.

• The CST has now completed what it was asked to do by the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Regional Council. Many people love the results, some continue to oppose. There is no doubt, however, that, after the passage of time, all will eventually unite as one in support for this remarkable addition to our city and region.

Read the full reply here.

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What can we make of this, the full opinion piece? Mainly, we see an effort by Mr Farry to rewrite history, shift blame, and spice up the reader’s day with new information for further discovery, thrown in for worse effect. How interesting.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Stadium: Events so far

### ODT Online Sun, 8 Apr 2012
Team effort – stadium show requires really big cast
By Mark Price
Staging an event at Dunedin’s new stadium is a team effort.

“We’ve learned a huge amount about being flexible in terms of trying to deliver a product for all the different user groups. And I would like to think with each event we get slightly better.” -Coryn Huddy, DVML operations manager

Forsyth Barr Stadium was opened eight months ago, on August 5, 2011. Since then it has hosted the following events:
• 4 Rugby World Cup matches
• North Otago v West Coast rugby
• Selwyn v Knox rugby
• Otago v Canterbury [ITM Cup rugby]
• Otago v Manawatu [ITM Cup rugby]
• Highlanders v Crusaders [Super 15 rugby]
• Highlanders v Waratahs [Super 15 rugby]
• 2 Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar football games
• Elton John concert [crowd 35,500]
• Otago Daily Times Big Night In concert [crowd 18,000]
• Orientadium [crowd 16,500]
• Masters Games
• National Leisure Marching
• 9 conferences
• 80 meetings
• 51 social functions.

Events in the pipeline, in addition to rugby:
• VW Club – April 8, 2012
• Menopause: The Musical – May 10, 2012
• 16 conferences [average 150 delegates]
• 20 meetings [average 40 people].
Number expected to rise significantly.
• 25 social functions [average 200 people].

Read more

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Stuff: North versus South game could become fiasco
The fundraising match for the embattled Otago union is likely to be scheduled for the first weekend in June. Although details are still being discussed, the Sunday Star-Times understands some Super rugby coaches feel reviving the historical game is problematic and it doesn’t have universal appeal.
Read more

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Posted by Elizaeth Kerr

Facebook page for fubar

The impoverishing tale of the rugby stadium that is, at Dunedin. Not Dunnaz. Not try-ing (forgive the rugby pun).

The story goes, via ODT… “Radiohead confirmed for NZ show”
(Monday 27.2.12) Internationally acclaimed band Radiohead is coming to New Zealand for one show at Auckland’s Vector Arena.

Next, at the Facebook page:

Jamie Shaw Monday at 11:42pm
Is there any chance of getting Radiohead down here as well when they come to NZ in November?

· Lynsey Selcraig, Damian Foster, Doug Rodgers and 2 others like this.

Forsyth Barr Stadium Tuesday at 11:52am
Hi Jamie- again, similar to Lady Gaga, Radiohead are touring with a show designed for indoor, smaller venues. If you look at the other venues they are performing in they are all smaller, indoor venues eg. Vector, Rod Laver and the Entertainment Centre in Sydney. This means their show- lighting, sound etc is customised for venues of this nature and not a Stadium. If they tour with a bigger venue/Stadium tour at a later date, we will try our very best to get them down to Dunnaz!

People, stadium has a capital ‘S’.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

NZ Masters Games, stadium or no

The New Zealand Masters Games was first held in Wanganui in 1989 and 1991. Dunedin’s first Games was in 1992 and it has been held in Wanganui and Dunedin on alternate years since. This pattern will continue until at least 2017.

### ODT Online Mon, 13 Feb 2012
No decision yet on future of headquarters
By Alistair McMurran
The Forsyth Barr Stadium was used as the headquarters of the New Zealand Masters Games for the first time this year but there is no guarantee it will be used again in two years. The stadium will be in competition with the University of Otago Union building that has been used as the headquarters in the past.
Read more

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No economic impact report has been completed since 2008 […] Dunedin City councillors and ratepayers should be satisfied with the “bang for the buck” the council gets for its involvement.

### ODT Online Mon, 13 Feb 2012
Editorial: Masters Games most welcome
There was a surfeit of energetic athletes of mostly mid to mature years in Dunedin last week. They were the 6000 competitors testing their mettle in the New Zealand Masters Games – the 11th Dunedin has hosted. Just why people from their 20s (yes, you can be a master at 20 – if you are a gymnast) to their 90s would want to enter a competitive multi-sport event is a point probably endless debated around some family dinner tables. But Dunedin should be glad they do.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Elton John, 25 November, Dunedin

### ODT Online Sat, 19 Nov 2011
Music
About the music: Q&A with Elton John
By Shane Gilchrist
” Last month, Elton John played his 3000th concert (at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas). Now he’s about to head to Dunedin for a concert that offers the statistically inclined musician the chance to add another entry to a long list. Shane Gilchrist asks the chart-topping, globe-trotting performer a few questions.
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The show
Elton John and his band (Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Kim Bullard, Bob Birch and John Mahon) perform at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on Friday, November 25. Rock cellists 2CELLOS (Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser) will also perform with the band, as will four backing singers. Hokitika singer-songwriter Katie Thompson will open the concert, which begins at 7.30pm.

Short Biography
Discography and achievements

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Yes! Westpac Stadium sorts the cheese

### ODT Online Sat, 29 May 2010
Wellington ready for stadium challenge
By Chris Morris
The chairman of the trust running Wellington’s Westpac Stadium is ready for competition with Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Wellington Regional Stadium Trust chairman Paul Collins was responding to comments this week by David Davies, the man tasked with making a success of Dunedin’s roofed venue, who this week predicted “aggressive” competition between the venues.

A Berl report released earlier this month found the venue [Westpac Stadium] had generated $484 million for the Wellington economy, more than double original forecasts.

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Post by Elizabeth Kerr