ATEED gives Wero Whitewater Stadium Project the tick following economic outputs review
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Today Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) presented the results of its peer review of the economic output data of the business plan for the proposed Stage 2 development, to build a whitewater stadium (Wero), at the site of the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.
The Trust’s business plan stated the total project would generate 110 full time equivalent jobs and contribute $7.4 million in GDP to the southern area of Auckland each year.
At today’s Auckland Council Strategy and Finance Committee meeting, ATEED reported that these figures were conservative as were the visitor forecasts and that the Wero project could expect to exceed these expectations.
ATEED is strongly of the view that the wider range of potential benefits such as youth development, increased tourism, the attraction of international sporting events, should be at the forefront of consideration since economic development is only one of a range of objectives of the Wero proposal.
Sir Noel Robinson, Chairman of the Counties Manukau Pacific Trust spearheading the Wero project, said:
“We are delighted with the findings of ATEED’s peer review. This aligns with the Trust’s excellent track record for exceeding its targets as it has done with Stage 1 of the project (The TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre). We hope these findings will silence some of the naysayers of the Wero project which has now been proven to have significant social and economic benefits for the local community in the south as well as the wider Auckland region.”
In addition to attracting international events and providing New Zealand’s Olympic team with an accessible training facility, surpluses from the Wero initiative will be used to maintain the asset making it accessible for use by schools for youth development and water safety programmes without the need of ongoing council or third party funding.
Sir Noel says:
“Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders currently enjoy kayaking, and recreational rafting is also developing into a popular sport. Wero will be used on a daily basis by anyone who wants to, including school groups, students or families. The wider Auckland region will also benefit as it helps to support the Mayor’s vision of creating the world’s most liveable city.”