1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,747 Speaker 1: from newstalk z b K. 3 00:00:13,067 --> 00:00:17,347 Speaker 2: Local Board has supported a proposal to reinforce Colin Maiden 4 00:00:17,507 --> 00:00:22,027 Speaker 2: Park in Auckland as a regionally significant sporting precinct and 5 00:00:22,147 --> 00:00:25,747 Speaker 2: the home of cricket in our biggest city. The proposal 6 00:00:25,827 --> 00:00:29,787 Speaker 2: underpinned by a twenty two point three million dollar investment 7 00:00:30,067 --> 00:00:33,827 Speaker 2: that'll see Colin Maiden Park host Auckland Aces and Auckland 8 00:00:33,867 --> 00:00:37,707 Speaker 2: Hearts matches. The development will also feature modern all weather 9 00:00:37,787 --> 00:00:43,347 Speaker 2: training facilities, broadcast infrastructure and the refurbishment of existing buildings 10 00:00:43,347 --> 00:00:48,467 Speaker 2: to serve as Auckland Cricket's new offices. Auckland Crickets CEO 11 00:00:48,787 --> 00:00:52,187 Speaker 2: is Ian Francis. He joins us now Ian the seams 12 00:00:52,347 --> 00:00:56,307 Speaker 2: very significant. How significant is it having local board support 13 00:00:56,467 --> 00:00:58,587 Speaker 2: for a move to Colin Maiden Park. 14 00:00:59,227 --> 00:01:02,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks very much, Jason. Yeah, we're pretty excited to 15 00:01:02,307 --> 00:01:05,787 Speaker 3: get their approval from the RF local boards that've been 16 00:01:05,827 --> 00:01:09,227 Speaker 3: very support of this move. And yeah, to build a 17 00:01:09,307 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 3: domestic venue for and modern facility as you outlined there 18 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:15,707 Speaker 3: for Auckland Cricket will be great for us. 19 00:01:16,027 --> 00:01:17,987 Speaker 2: Tell us a bit more about the vision for the 20 00:01:18,027 --> 00:01:20,747 Speaker 2: sporting hub. At Colin Maiden I outline as I say, 21 00:01:20,827 --> 00:01:23,827 Speaker 2: training facilities, but a broadcast your officers obviously, what is 22 00:01:23,867 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 2: the vision for for Colin Maiden Park. 23 00:01:26,987 --> 00:01:29,747 Speaker 3: Yes, so for Auckland Cricket, this will mean a modern 24 00:01:30,747 --> 00:01:34,507 Speaker 3: domestic facility that we can run our high performance teams off, 25 00:01:34,547 --> 00:01:38,347 Speaker 3: but also have the local community sport, which is really 26 00:01:38,347 --> 00:01:42,107 Speaker 3: important to the Iraqi Local Board. So the facilities that 27 00:01:42,507 --> 00:01:45,427 Speaker 3: the facility at Colin Maiden Park is a multi multi 28 00:01:45,427 --> 00:01:48,027 Speaker 3: sport facility will be one of a number of sports 29 00:01:48,067 --> 00:01:52,107 Speaker 3: there and so it's quite exciting to think that, you know, 30 00:01:52,187 --> 00:01:53,067 Speaker 3: we'll be based there. 31 00:01:53,667 --> 00:01:56,387 Speaker 2: Are we looking at something similar to what's you know 32 00:01:56,547 --> 00:01:59,147 Speaker 2: already on off at Mount Montngnerby Bay Oval at Seddon 33 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:01,507 Speaker 2: Park and Hamilton have we Oval in christ You are 34 00:02:01,547 --> 00:02:04,947 Speaker 2: they kind of the blueprints for what you're looking at? Correct? 35 00:02:05,067 --> 00:02:10,067 Speaker 3: Yes, So Local Board are very keen to remain retain 36 00:02:10,107 --> 00:02:14,587 Speaker 3: the community feel, so we will support that and in 37 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:18,067 Speaker 3: terms of the facility, the facility will be available for 38 00:02:18,107 --> 00:02:21,587 Speaker 3: community usage as well, so yeah, have a similar feel 39 00:02:21,627 --> 00:02:22,627 Speaker 3: to those men news. 40 00:02:22,867 --> 00:02:25,267 Speaker 2: Obviously, people in Auckland will be familiar with where Colin 41 00:02:25,347 --> 00:02:27,747 Speaker 2: Maiden parkers, but those outside of the city may not 42 00:02:27,787 --> 00:02:31,147 Speaker 2: be it's in the eastern suburbs. How easy is it? 43 00:02:31,987 --> 00:02:34,987 Speaker 2: I know Auckland traffic can be can be challenging the 44 00:02:35,027 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 2: best at times, but how easy is Colin Maiden Park 45 00:02:37,467 --> 00:02:39,427 Speaker 2: to get to from other parts of the city. 46 00:02:40,387 --> 00:02:43,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, so you are right, or traffic can be can 47 00:02:43,707 --> 00:02:47,667 Speaker 3: be an issue anywhere Right're located in the Eastern Suburbs 48 00:02:47,707 --> 00:02:51,667 Speaker 3: has been the home of Auckland University Creit Club for 49 00:02:52,707 --> 00:02:58,107 Speaker 3: close to fifty years now, so it is accessible to Aucklanders. 50 00:02:57,787 --> 00:03:01,707 Speaker 2: And in terms of player feedback, presumably they have been 51 00:03:01,747 --> 00:03:05,387 Speaker 2: across this news. Are they in a positive frame of 52 00:03:05,427 --> 00:03:08,467 Speaker 2: mind about having a new home, a new official, permanent home. 53 00:03:09,747 --> 00:03:14,987 Speaker 3: So we've we've probably long signaled our intentions to develop 54 00:03:15,067 --> 00:03:17,507 Speaker 3: facilities that allow the game to grow and try it 55 00:03:17,507 --> 00:03:20,227 Speaker 3: and that includes modern facilities for our players and for 56 00:03:20,307 --> 00:03:25,107 Speaker 3: our community. So we believe this protects us for the 57 00:03:25,387 --> 00:03:27,747 Speaker 3: for the growth of the game now and also into 58 00:03:27,787 --> 00:03:30,947 Speaker 3: the future, for our players and for the community usage 59 00:03:30,947 --> 00:03:31,307 Speaker 3: as well. 60 00:03:31,587 --> 00:03:33,307 Speaker 2: What sort of discussions did you have to have with 61 00:03:33,467 --> 00:03:36,827 Speaker 2: Eden Park and the powers that be there about about 62 00:03:36,827 --> 00:03:39,507 Speaker 2: the move away, because obviously the Aces and the Hearts play, 63 00:03:39,707 --> 00:03:42,227 Speaker 2: you know, play your your games at the outer Oval there. 64 00:03:42,827 --> 00:03:45,387 Speaker 2: What sort of conversations did you have with with Eaton Park? 65 00:03:46,467 --> 00:03:50,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, so they are ongoing, Jason, so Eden Park is 66 00:03:50,307 --> 00:03:53,587 Speaker 3: New Zealand's premier sporting and then you're the only stadium 67 00:03:53,587 --> 00:03:59,467 Speaker 3: in Auckland capable of hosting international cricket. So yeah, in 68 00:03:59,587 --> 00:04:01,707 Speaker 3: terms of that, we've been clear with counsel and local 69 00:04:01,707 --> 00:04:04,387 Speaker 3: board that this is a domestic venue only. So yeah, 70 00:04:04,387 --> 00:04:07,187 Speaker 3: we're some discussions will be on going with Edon Park 71 00:04:07,227 --> 00:04:10,307 Speaker 3: around the terms of our exit for the domestic side 72 00:04:10,307 --> 00:04:10,627 Speaker 3: of the game. 73 00:04:11,107 --> 00:04:14,467 Speaker 2: And so there's no plans. The venues I mentioned before 74 00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:18,507 Speaker 2: have all hosted international games. Is there the desire at 75 00:04:18,507 --> 00:04:21,667 Speaker 2: some point to have international cricket at Colin Maiden Park? 76 00:04:23,027 --> 00:04:25,147 Speaker 3: We've been Yeah, like I said before, we've been very 77 00:04:25,147 --> 00:04:27,467 Speaker 3: clear with council and the local board that this is 78 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:31,947 Speaker 3: a domestic venue only and the international cricket will remain 79 00:04:31,987 --> 00:04:32,707 Speaker 3: in Eden Park. 80 00:04:33,787 --> 00:04:36,467 Speaker 2: So what are the next steps and what sort of 81 00:04:36,467 --> 00:04:38,427 Speaker 2: time frame we're talking about here? When will we see 82 00:04:38,507 --> 00:04:41,707 Speaker 2: the Hearts and the and the Aces playing at Colin Maiden. 83 00:04:41,827 --> 00:04:43,507 Speaker 2: I mean we know they played there already, but what 84 00:04:43,747 --> 00:04:46,227 Speaker 2: are the next steps in terms of the development of 85 00:04:46,627 --> 00:04:47,187 Speaker 2: the venue. 86 00:04:47,907 --> 00:04:51,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, so their approval on Thursday came with some clear 87 00:04:51,787 --> 00:04:55,427 Speaker 3: conditions for us to meet by thirtieth September, so we 88 00:04:55,467 --> 00:04:57,667 Speaker 3: will be working hard to meet those and with a 89 00:04:57,747 --> 00:05:01,427 Speaker 3: view to playing at the facility in twenty six twenty 90 00:05:01,467 --> 00:05:05,907 Speaker 3: seven season and then with the move complete late in 91 00:05:05,947 --> 00:05:07,027 Speaker 3: twenty Evan as well. 92 00:05:07,147 --> 00:05:09,067 Speaker 2: I hope you've got yourself a corner office, have you 93 00:05:09,107 --> 00:05:10,907 Speaker 2: have you have you staked out where you're going to be. 94 00:05:11,987 --> 00:05:18,147 Speaker 3: I haven't got into that levelge and approval, so that'll 95 00:05:18,187 --> 00:05:18,827 Speaker 3: be the next step. 96 00:05:19,147 --> 00:05:21,307 Speaker 2: Surely, be the chief executive must give you some sort 97 00:05:21,307 --> 00:05:22,987 Speaker 2: of preference as far as where you want to be, 98 00:05:23,267 --> 00:05:25,387 Speaker 2: although knowing you, I think you'll probably rather be in 99 00:05:25,427 --> 00:05:28,267 Speaker 2: with the rest of your team. Hey, Ian, terrific news 100 00:05:28,347 --> 00:05:30,187 Speaker 2: this week. Thanks for joining us mate. We'll look forward 101 00:05:30,187 --> 00:05:32,827 Speaker 2: to seeing the progress and I'll have to pay a 102 00:05:32,867 --> 00:05:34,907 Speaker 2: visit to Colin Maiden Park once you're up and running. 103 00:05:35,507 --> 00:05:37,467 Speaker 3: Okay, Thanks ver much, Jason, appreciate your support. 104 00:05:37,507 --> 00:05:39,187 Speaker 2: Thank you, I appreciate your time. Ian. Thanks to need 105 00:05:39,227 --> 00:05:43,107 Speaker 2: Ian Francis, CEO of Auckland Cricket. So they're off to 106 00:05:43,147 --> 00:05:47,587 Speaker 2: Colin Maiden Park, a big investment there. Auckland Aces and 107 00:05:47,747 --> 00:05:52,867 Speaker 2: Hearts matches will be there, new training facilities, good broadcast infrastructure, 108 00:05:53,347 --> 00:05:56,267 Speaker 2: refurbishment of some existing buildings and that's where Auckland Cricket 109 00:05:56,307 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 2: will be based, Colin Maiden Park. Good move, I think. 110 00:05:59,147 --> 00:06:02,347 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 111 00:06:02,427 --> 00:06:05,707 Speaker 1: to news Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 112 00:06:05,747 --> 00:06:07,347 Speaker 1: the podcast done iHeartRadio