America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ give consent to new Plan
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz 25 Mar 2018 22:45 PDT
26 March 2018
Emirates Team NZ design for America's Cup bases - acceoted by Council and Government © Emirates Team New Zealand
Emirates Team New Zealand has issued a media statement that they are pleased to confirm agreement has been reached in principle between Government and Auckland Council on a final plan developed by Emirates Team New Zealand.
A deal has been done that will see the 36th America’s Cup be sailed in Auckland in 2021 pending approval by the Auckland Council Governing Body and final sign off by Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
The last minute deal is believed to have come together only after Emirates Team New Zealand came up with a new plan with the America's Cup Defenders taking over the three level Viaduct Events Centre, just used buy the Volvo Ocean Race for their BoatYard, media centre and administration facility.
This plan is the third to come from the Panuku Developments/ETNZ group, and sits alongside a further six options proposed/favoured by the Labour-led Coalition Government. This is the first which shows the complete removal of all tanks on the southern end of Wynyard Point.
Hobson Wharf gets extended into the Harbour off the end of the National Maritime Museum, and will house one base - probably Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa. The other Challengers will take spaces allocated on Wynyard Point.
The allocation of the Viaduct Events Centre to Emirates Team New Zealand takes away an obvious location for the Media Centre and International Broadcast Centre (Host Broadcaster and Territorial Broadcasters.
The large Viaduct Events Centre will also have significant technology display areas, as well as allowing the public to look down on the AC75's being worked on in the northern end of the facility.
Radio New Zealand reports that the NZ Government will contribute NZ$114 million - including a hosting fee of NZ$40m - while the council will stump up NZ$98.5m. The deal puts the cost of the infrastructure at NZ$170million.
It is not known if this includes the early contract buyout, remediation and relocation costs of the existing tenants on the Wynyard Point but is likely to include rectification of 80 year old Wynyard Wharf, which will serve as the boatyard for the Challenger bases.
“This is a huge relief to have reached the agreement with Government and Council over the event venue and host agreement. Our determination to have the event in Auckland never wavered despite plenty of challenges right up until the 11th hour,” said CEO Grant Dalton, in a written media statement. Dalton is currently in Europe.
“It has been a very complex and time-consuming process for everyone so it is pleasing that all parties have seen the collective benefit of the innovative base proposal put forward by Emirates Team New Zealand late last week.”
The Emirates Team New Zealand plan essentially eliminates the need for any extension of the Halsey Wharf which brings with it a significant cost reduction and situates the team in the Viaduct Events Centre. One team would then be housed on the extension on Hobson Wharf, while the remainder of the team bases line up along the Wynyard Wharf.
“Excitingly, what we have in the agreements is essentially the start of the event build,” said Dalton.
“In saying this, there isn’t time to celebrate, the clock has been ticking for the past 9 months and there is a huge amount to organise and build in a very tight timeline. But it is a line in the sand where everyone collectively can now focus on working together to deliver the best America’s Cup in history and the most successful and inclusive major event New Zealand has ever seen for all New Zealanders."
In a separate move, Auckland Council also issued a media release confirming the ambitious plan.
Mayor Phil Goff today said in the statement issued this evening that an in-principle agreement had been reached between Auckland Council, Government and Emirates Team New Zealand for Auckland to host America’s Cup 36 in 2021.
The in-principle agreement confirms the location of the America’s Cup bases and is subject to a vote by council’s Governing Body on Thursday this week.
Mayor Phil Goff said, “Today we can look forward to hosting an America’s Cup in New Zealand. It’s good for Auckland and great for Kiwis who will get to experience in person the thrill of an America’s Cup contest in 2021 and cheer our team on.
“We have agreed a base configuration that is less expensive than previous options and requires a much smaller extension into the harbour.
“It allows the earlier removal of hazardous substance tanks from the southern part of the Point, is more straightforward to consent, will be quicker to construct and creates a positive legacy for Auckland.
“The Cup will bring vibrancy and economic benefits to Auckland and a chance to showcase our city and harbour, cutting edge technology and the sporting skills of Kiwis.
“Hosting the Cup enables the council to improve the City’s waterfront and city centre and the facilities can be used again at minimal cost for further Cup defences.
“The land on Wynyard Point will ultimately become a linear park which will be a great public space, and the sheltered water area between Wynyard and Halsey Street wharves will also be a valuable asset for other maritime sports events such as dragon boats and Waka Ama,” said Mayor Goff.
Economic Development Minister David Parker said, “I am very pleased to advise that we have succeeded in negotiating a venue on the Auckland waterfront that Aucklanders and all New Zealanders can be proud of. It significantly reduces the intrusion into the harbour at the lowest practical cost.
“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Mayor Goff and I all stated our commitment to limiting the intrusion into the harbour, while achieving a word class venue for the Cup event, and this delivers that,” said Mr Parker.
America’s Cup costs and base location
Mayor Goff said, “Construction and related costs totalling $212 million will be shared between council and government with council contributing $98.5 million. Included in the Government contribution is the Team New Zealand hosting fee.
“Under the agreement, the Viaduct Events Centre will now be home to Emirates Team New Zealand without extending Halsey Street wharf into the harbour. One base will be on a Hobson Wharf extension and up to five bases on the eastern side of Wynyard Point.
“Officials from all parties have worked collaboratively over the past several months. I acknowledge the role played by all the parties in what was a robust negotiation.
“I look forward to working with Government and Emirates Team New Zealand to deliver the best America’s Cup yet,” said Mayor Phil Goff.
A new resource consent will be put to Council’s Governing Body this Thursday and subject to its approval, will be lodged by 6 April.
The alliance design and construction partners to deliver the infrastructure for the America’s Cup have also been appointed. They are McConnell Dowell, Downer, Beca and Tonkin & Taylor.