Nix might be on the move

[Stuckey]

The Wellington Phoenix's days at Westpac Stadium may be numbered.

Discussions are underway about the prospect of moving to a much smaller purpose-built venue at either Newtown Park or Petone to enhance the matchday experience.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/ne ... n-the-move

I wonder if this will be funded by the Nix? If so it would be great to see clubs look at this. Surely HAL clubs owning their own stadium would be a great boost for clubs who are at the mercy of stadium authorities.
Although I feel in AUFC's case Coopers is so perfect for HAL clubs that looking to build something of their own is only necessary if the government plans to never sell it.

[blahblah]

A very sensible move if it takes place. The boutique stadiums make so much sense for the smaller clubs.

The interesting part of this is the long term planning and investment. I can only assume that the AFC request for the 'Nix to be out of the competition (2016?) is now redundant.

[Stuckey]

Hopefully this is a sign that wheels are in motion for the AFC to absorb NZ.

[Stuckey]

Petone Arena its going to be called
Holds 15,000 so should be perfect for them.

[Stuckey]

Plans have been unveiled for a new 12,000 seat "boutique stadium" in Petone.

Petone Arena, at the site of the Petone Rec, would cost between $44 and $48 million, Wellington Phoenix co-owner Gareth Morgan said today.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sp ... s-unveiled

So only 12k actually. Considering they get around 9k this would create a great atmosphere!

Looks from the pitcures that there seems to be a good amound of room to increase the size of it later on.

[shinAUFC]

IMO this kind of stadium is what any new clubs to the league should be aiming for and it also makes it more realistic for clubs from regional areas to be viable and create a genuine football atmosphere.

We are so lucky to have Hindmarsh IMO .

Has anyone been to as Monaco's stadium ? It has to be the most epic small stadium I've ever seen ....work of art !!

[Stuckey]

I agree. I think this should come into account when FFA are looking at expansion. If fans love coming to a stadium then that's a good chunk of the battle won. Wollongong have a perfect stadium, as does Canberra.

[shinAUFC]

Marden has a capacity of 6000, im sure alot of that is standing room, though filling whats left of the hills with seats and putting a few extra rows behind the goals on each end and suddenly you have a fantastic little stadium for a second club

[Stuckey]

Marden has a capacity of 6000, im sure alot of that is standing room, though filling whats left of the hills with seats and putting a few extra rows behind the goals on each end and suddenly you have a fantastic little stadium for a second club

I've been thinking about Marden for a while. I wonder if they tried to get their capacity up to 10k they could push for AU games?
I have been reading a bit about Waverley stadium in Melbourne and how that was a perfect stadium at the time for the AFL to use as leverage against the MCG trying to raise the rents on games there too high. If AU could play a game of little importance or ones that historically draw low numbers it could be a sign to the AEC that we have other options if you want to continue to raise our rents for no return of improving facilities.
I guess we will have to wait to see what happens with the club's move into the local leagues as to where their side will play.