With the budget for the 30,000-seat Te Kaha Canterbury Multi-Use Arena blowing out $150 million to $683 million, the future of the project is now in doubt.
And the national sport will not be cast as a potential saviour as city councillors meet today to consider initiating public consultation.
Asked if there was any scope for New Zealand Rugby, which recently signed a $200 million deal with US private equity firm Silver Lake, to contribute to the project, The Star was told "No".
“Any decisions around the size and design of a new multi-use stadium in Christchurch ultimately rests with the city and central government,” said New Zealand Rugby general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum.
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union, as far back as 2017, ruled out helping to pay for what then chairman Trevor McIntyre described as a “community facility”.
Current CRFU chief executive Tony Smail confirmed its stance had not changed.
“The position is the same as always. We support a multi-use arena and want to see it happen as soon as possible, it’ll only get more expensive,” he said.
The CRFU and the Crusaders point out they already pay the city council a fee to use Orangetheory Stadium, a temporary venue built in 2012 to replace the earthquake-ravaged Lancaster Park.
After experiencing another frigid, though successful, night in Addington, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson urged the city council to persevere.
“We’ve got to build it in the heart of the city. It’s right where we need it. Leaders need to be brave,” said Robertson, after the Crusaders beat the Reds in a Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final last Friday.
Ratepayers fear they will foot the bill once the construction cost-related blowout was revealed last week.
The city council said options included paring back capacity and no longer including a roof while the opening of the stadium on a site bordered by Hereford, Barbadoes, Tuam and Madras Sts has also been pushed back to April, 2026.
