So welcome to my blog. It’s going to be about the RWC2011. Of course to make it relevant to the course I will be adding some planning touches to it.
To kick-off this blog I would like to discuss the decision to not have the World Cup in Christchurch - whether this is the right decision, and the implications of this decision for the city and the country as a whole.
To a region that has just been battered by the devastating earthquake, there doesn’t seem that anything can be crueller than to take away their chance of playing a part in hosting the Rugby World Cup – an event so significant to the country and a sport that means so much to the people of Christchurch.
For obvious social and political reasons the government had been keeping the hope alive for as long as possible, however the final decisions made by the RWC2011 organisers had decided (reluctantly) is that Christchurch will not be hosting the Rugby World Cup. This decisions has taken into consideration
Canterburians are rugby nomads, and we all know that. Despite being a supporter of the Blues I have to admit that the Crusaders have had more success than us. To move the World Cup games from Jade Stadium (or AMI Park as it’s known as now) to Eden Park is like shifting America’s Cup from the Hauraki Gulf to the Wellington Harbour! Imagine what us Aucklanders would think if that happened!!
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| The AMI stadium |
Of course, the politicians and the Game’s organisers thought long and hard about the matter I still can’t help feeling bad for the poor Christchurch. However here are some of my constructive thoughts on the matter:
Christchurch was hit mighty hard by the earthquake (although it has been made less significant by the Japanese earthquake/tsunami/nuclear explosions). We have a small economy which has just gone through a recession. The extent of the Christchurch earthquake can be felt here in Auckland as the promises of infrastructural improvements promised by the poor Len Brown probably won’t materialise in the foreseeable future as John and Bill will most likely use the money for the rebuilding of Christchurch.
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| Len isn't too happy |
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| "and the money will go to...Christchurch!" |
So forget about the second harbour crossing and major improvements to the railway for the next few years. All the benefits Auckland will receive will be the extra revenue that will be associated with the wealth rugby fans (especially the English fans) that come to watch the game (and various other activities before and after the games).
As one of the main stadiums in NZ, the Jade Stadium was supposed to host 5 pool games and 2 quarter final games. Assuming that will mean a whole lot of ticket sales, souvenirs, food & drinks, accommodation for the Christchurch economy. Now all that will be lost.
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| British Lions Fans |
But maybe it is the right decision? Well, firstly people may be reluctant to go to Christchurch after what had happened. Secondly, maybe we should just focus on the rebuilding of the city rather than risk putting it under tourism stress? Thirdly, and lastly – Eden Park has a higher capacity at end of the day, plus the prices are more expensive in Auckland and there more things to do. So the chances are we can in fact earn some extra revenue from the decision that can be donated to Christchurch. Maybe this idea is too naïve, but with the generosity shown by the NZ public after the earthquake I don’t see why we can’t contribute some revenue from the RWC into the rebuilding of Christchurch
