Warriors to stay at Mt Smart

To:  Auckland Regional Council

Recently with the mismanagement of Mt Smart Stadium by the Auckland Regional Council and the ‘Super City’ proposal for Auckland there has been speculation that the Vodafone New Zealand Warriors may leave their home ground at Mt Smart Stadium and move to the currently being upgraded Eden Park. We feel that such a move would tear at the heart and soul of New Zealand’s only professional club side as well as cause a number of logistical problems that wouldn’t arise if the Warriors were to stay at their home of Mt Smart Stadium:

Mt Smart is a purpose built football facility (one of the few in the country) with stands close to the playing area while Eden Park is (and will be) a multipurpose facility with stands a fair distance from the field which leads to a decreased enjoyment from the spectators which in turn affects the atmosphere at the ground, which does affect the players. Why the NZRFU put up with it is an interesting question.

Eden Park will be under a lot of pressure to be able to cope with so many tenants such an arrangement would see; Auckland, the Blues, The All Blacks, Dec Black caps, State Auckland Aces, Vodafone Warriors and the New Zealand National Rugby League team; it will be doubtful if the Eden Park board will be able to keep the ground in top shape with so many events. Same can be said for all the concerts that take place at Mt Smart such as the annual Big Day Out.

The sheer distance Warriors supporters will have to travel to games at Eden Park coupled with the lack of parking space and public transportation will put off some supporters from going to games.

When Eden Park is completed it will have a capacity of 50,000 which will be far too large for nearly all Warriors games and empty seats only reduce the enjoyment of spectators and players alike.

Overall the mismanagement by the Auckland Regional Council is no reason to move Rugby League away from its rightful home (since Carlaw Parks tragic demise) and the rugby league community will not allow this to happen and will stand up and let the rest of the public take notice.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Warriors to stay at Mt Smart Petition to Auckland Regional Council was created by and written by Nick Bonkowski (n.bonkowski@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.