Western Springs. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland Football Club's rich-lister owners have pulled their proposal to take over Western Springs Stadium.
The privately funded venue focused on football, Auckland Arena, was backed by entrepreneur Anna Mowbray, her husband, former All Black Ali Williams, American businessman Bill Foley, and New Zealander and NBA player Steven Adams.
It was one of three options for the future of the stadium that went out for public consultation in May.
Auckland Council's economic and cultural agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), earlier told councillors they favoured the Auckland Arena proposal.
The decision comes just weeks after Mowbray and Williams' controversial resource consent application to build a helipad at their multi-million dollar Westmere property was approved.
TAU chief executive Nick Hill told RNZ on Tuesday they were informed by the backers of the Auckland Arena concept for the stadium that they had withdrawn their submission to the expression of interest (EOI) process relating to the future use of the stadium.
"We were disappointed to hear of the withdrawal of the Auckland Arena proposal. The EOI evaluation panel and our board had deemed it to be the most positive solution for Auckland.
TAU was set to provide a recommendation to the council on which proposal to go ahead with at an upcoming meeting on 31 July.
Hill said the TAU Board would put off advising councillors on the issue until after the city's local government elections in October.
"Western Springs Stadium is a historic and valued asset with huge potential. We need to consider the public consultation feedback before deciding next steps. We are committed to making a recommendation that will deliver positive outcomes and provide certainty for Aucklanders."
The owners of Auckland FC said challenges with public land led them to withdraw their proposal.
"Despite our deep commitment and experience, the process of delivering such a project on public land in Auckland has presented unique challenges. With the extended timelines and complexities, we have regretfully withdrawn our proposal," it said in a statement.
"This decision does not reflect a lack of capability or commitment. We have a proven track record delivering complex, world-class venues in partnership with cities around the world, like the BMO stadium in Los Angeles."
"Our vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and world-class venue is unchanged, and we continue to explore ways to bring that vision to life in partnership with Auckland Council, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and the community."
Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson said the outcome was frustrating after significant time and resources were spent hearing from the public.
"We've had a really difficult conversation with the public with some high emotion, and to find out on the morning of the release of feedback to councillors that one of the options we asked the public about has pulled out is a disappointing outcome.
"It [the withdrawal] affects the rest of the consultation."
He said councillors were set to select an option for the stadium this month, but a conclusion to the months-long debate was now looking much further away.
He said it was too early to know if the council would need to consult the public again.
"There's every chance that might be an outcome because this consultation appears to have had the well poisoned."
No clear favourite in feedback to council
The council revealed on Tuesday it received 14,894 submissions on how the stadium should be used during the consultation period, which went from 19 May to 15 June.
Feedback showed a wide range of views and there was no clear preferred option, the council said.
Of the individual submissions, 33 percent supported the option to explore other ideas, which included returning speedway to the stadium where it had been for the past 100 years.
Another 30 percent of individual submitters favoured the CRS records proposal, Western Springs Bowl, which would offer a live music and festival venue and 5000 to 8000-seat boutique stadium for community and semi-professional sport, including Ponsonby Rugby Club, whose lease of the stadium expires in 2027.
The now ditched Auckland Arena idea was backed by 21 percent of individual submitters, while 16 percent preferred to keep things as they are.
Feedback from organisations showed 35 percent wanted other options explored, 33 percent preferred Western Springs Bowl, 29 percent preferred Auckland Arena, and 3 percent wanted things to stay as they were.
The council said TAU had advised that they needed more time to assess the remaining options before recommending an appropriate path forward.
It said they expected to provide newly elected councillors with advice on the matter early in the next council term.
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