Nelson City Council has approved a watered-down plan to upgrade the city's main sports venue Trafalgar Park.
The council heard strong opposition from ratepayers before deciding on a $3.8 million improvement plan, about half the cost of a favoured option.
Two councillors voted against the move, saying the council should be pulling back spending in difficult economic times.
Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall says the council will have to trim other parts of its budget so the Trafalgar Park upgrade will not add to rates.
