However, developer Dennis Thomson has fired back, telling the Otago Daily Times he was not yet prepared to accept responsibility, suggesting the flooding of the ground may have been "an act of God".
Council community and recreation services manager Mick Reece yesterday confirmed the council was seeking compensation totalling $15,000 from Mr Thomson.
Mr Thomson and wife Elaine, of Christchurch, were the developers behind a 20-lot subdivision being built in two stages on sloping land above Ellis Park, at Brockville, in Dunedin.
Mr Reece said a torrent of muddy water and debris from the subdivision had washed across the playing fields during heavy rain that contributed to regional flooding on May 27.
Debris from the subdivision had blocked a council drain, designed to carry stormwater under the park, diverting the torrent on to the playing field, he said.
The damage occurred as a $100,000 upgrade of the soccer and softball ground, including resurfacing and drainage work, was almost complete, Mr Reece said.
That project had been set back by about two months, and possibly longer if cold weather prevented grass from germinating, he said.
"If that goes on too long we have the problem of getting pitches ready for next year."
Council staff were checking to see if stormwater systems had been properly installed at the subdivision, and would discuss compensation with Mr Thomson in coming days, Mr Reece said.
"Our question is how come the designs of the systems failed? Either they were inadequate [or] they weren't done.
"Obviously, we want some money. These things are costly enough for ratepayers as it is," he said.
However, Mr Thomson insisted the kerb and channelling and drainage had been completed four weeks ago, were approved by council staff and had worked as designed.
He was in Dunedin yesterday to inspect the site, and would be meeting council staff later this week to attempt to resolve the situation.
However, he did not yet accept liability for the damage, claiming the playing field acted as a "plughole" while stormwater from neighbouring properties flowed on to his own and then down the slope.
It was a problem raised with council staff "over a year ago", but nothing had been done, he said.
"It's a matter of where the water came from and who's responsible for it.
"Whether it should be there or not is for the council to sort out, and whether we should be held responsible for water that came from afar."
He also believed a rock that blocked the council's pipe under the playing field may have been placed there deliberately, perhaps by children.
Any deal with the council would depend on the compensation sought and advice from his insurance company, he said.
"In actual fact, I don't feel I'm liable," he said.
Council resource consents manager Alan Worthington confirmed there had been "discussions" with Mr Thomson about stormwater from surrounding areas entering his property.
"I don't think it's the cause of what happened. It's an element of what happened."
Mr Reece said it was Mr Thomson's responsibility to deal with water coming from his property.
"Our concern is not why the water got on to his property ... What we are concerned with was a totally unexpected volume of mud and water."
