Why?
We had our second session of humiliation yesterday, the positive this time though was that since it had been raining there were less people to stare at us while they pie-munched and we contorted ourselves. The negative involved the instruments of satanic worship that are dynabands combined with the obligatory 'pulse' action. Ugh pain. The Mayor and the Phoenix players who had been participating didn't show this week - but as Mish said, "we don't need them anyway - they never win!"
Sevens
Despite going along last year for the first time, the whole sevens thing did seem a little tired this year and I think Tom over at the Wellingtonista summed it up nicely with his article "Thank God that's over". Mind you, I do wonder if the Cuba Street Carnival is really that much different? Isn't it just another case of a certain group of Wellingtonians letting their proverbial hair down - and shouldn't we just embrace all these events? Meh, maybe? But they do all get a tad boring after 10 years.
Courting controversy
Was it just me that let out an audible sigh of relief at the announcement that the Council's proposed 12 basketball court sized indoor sports stadium has been held up for another 18 months? I don't get why we need to rush to build this mammoth thing other than to give the dopey Mayor her swansong? For those who don't know, Wellington City Council is trying to build a huge indoor sports centre to attract national tournaments etc etc, which is all very good. But after originally looking at building it on top of the stadium concourse, and then on the waterfront, the Council decided building it over Cobham Park out in Kilbirnie (on the way to the airport) is better (images over at EOTF). In theory thats fine, but as anyone who has tried getting over/through Mt Vic when something is on out the other side, Kilbirnie is a nightmare to get to in peak traffic - so how would this location work if we had say 30 teams in town for a tournament?? So anyway, I'm happy its stalled again, even if it was a little dodgy how it happened, and I hope the 18 months now available will see sense prevail and other options considered. Btw, what about that pun for a headline eh? eh?
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3 comments:
Morning Beetlebum, if that is indeed your real name... I'm writing this as a member of the Mayor's Office staff. The sports centre is not being built 'to attract national tournaments, etc' as you say but as a community facility for local sports codes, mainly netball, basketball and volleyball. It could host regional and national tournaments, but that is very much a secondary consideration. Thank you, by the way, for not calling it a 'stadium' as dopier sections of the media do. There's no rush to get it through: the sports codes have been lobbying for this for years. Since 2006 it has been debated in council, it's been voted on more than once - overwhelmingly in favour, by the way - it's gone out for consultation, it's been independently reviewed before going for resource consent, and it's been reviewed again as part of the resource consent. That's some rush. As for it being 'dodgy how it happened', see above. Your link, by the way, take us to a story about the post-consent fuss, not about the long and exhaustive democratic process that led to the granting of consent. Traffic is a concern for many, but the traffic engineers who have studied the site, both in developing and reviewing the plan, say the effect will be no more than minimal at peak times. Bear in mind what peak-time traffic is like around Waterloo/Aotea quays, where other potential sites were considered. The other options at the stadium concourse and on port land at Harbour Quays, have been costed at more than twice the Cobham site, despite not providing as-good facilities. Finally, this is council policy, developed by council officers and backed by councillors, not a pet project of the Mayor's, though she is a huge supporter of it.
Morning Stephen Matthews... if that is indeed your real name. You got me, 'beetlebum' is just an old nickname of mine...
I appreciate that there has been a substantial process behind the scenes - but at the very least the public impression is that this project is now being rushed and that the Mayor has a personal stake in it.
Also, I'm sorry but I don't really buy that the traffic impact "will be no more than minimal at peak times" - just take Waitangi Day for example when 'One Love' at the velodrome clogs exactly the same arterial route. And me referring to the process being dodgy was specifically in reference to how Cr Foster has stalled it (hence I linked to that) - which I dont think was a particularly honourable method, even if I do like the effect.
I think the indoor sports centre concept is a good one, but clearly there is a communications gap on the location. If Cobham Drive is really such an amazing location, then maybe your office and the 'council officers' who are driving it, need to promote it a better to the constituency and inform us on how traffic will be managed efficiently and how this site won't create a headache for residents and sportspeople alike. I think ratepayers are entitled to know that their money is being spent well - and there is obviously a need for reassurance on potential white elephants/traffic bottlenecks.
But thank you anyway for dropping by. Although I admit it does surprise me somewhat that you've managed to find one of the smallest corners of the interweb.
Oh and tell Kerry that we all look forward to seeing her at Frank Kitts Park on Wednesday for Putting the Well in Wellington again... its on rain or shine and I promise not to heckle her! lol
Alas, yes, that's my real name. I'd have picked something much more exotic otherwise.
Sorry - I clearly misunderstood your 'dodgy' reference and stand corrected.
Traffic is clearly THE issue in this debate, once you get past the distractions of witch hunts etc which clearly make for better headlines. I would stand by the work which has been done - sometimes gut feelings, ie big development MUST equal traffic congestion, aren't borne out in reality.
Anyway, I think the Mayor may be over exercise sessions in the park after the rain last time. But good luck out there - remember, if it's really horrible it must be good for you.
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