The Dunedin City Council's community development committee will tomorrow consider a staff report outlining ways the cost of the Logan Park redevelopment could be cut from $14.6 million to $10.4 million.
The change would see eight of 14 parts to the redevelopment delayed by at least three years, reducing the council's share of the cost by $3.5 million to $7.9 million.
And, to further offset costs, councillors would also be asked to approve other savings, including delaying planned upgrades of Bathgate, Hancock and Opoho parks to save $900,000 over three years.
The council had already given initial approval to the Logan Park upgrade earlier this year, with $11.4 million to be paid by the council and the remainder from external sources. However, criticism from some councillors prompted a rethink, amid concerns about the council's debt and looming $8 million annual budget shortfall.
Council community and recreation services manager Mick Reece said yesterday staff had received "a very clear message" to "brutally reprioritise" spending on the project.
The report, by Mr Reece and council community life general manager Graeme Hall, suggested delaying eight items in the Logan Park redevelopment, subject to consultation during next year's council long-term plan hearings. That included the $1.3 million artificial turf for football, due to be built in 2013-14, with $500,000 from the council and the remainder from Fifa.
Construction of a third artificial hockey turf during 2013-14, costing $1.2 million, could also be shelved, along with tennis court repairs, landscaping and widening of the single-lane Butts Rd bridge at Logan Park.
If approved, the items would be referred to next year's long-term plan hearing on the basis they were deferred for three years, but could then be pencilled in for later in the council's 10-year plan, Mr Hall said yesterday.
Work would continue on elements already under way or considered essential, the report said.
Contractual arrangements meant the Academy of Sport building at nearby Forsyth Barr Stadium could not be halted, while the council was obliged to complete work on the southern wall of the former gallery.
Other necessary work included a separate $1.4 million multipurpose artificial turf, and earthquake strengthening and compliance work inside the former art gallery building, he said.
The projects already under way together cost the council $4 million, while those recommended to proceed would cost the council another $3.9 million.
Delaying the remaining elements would reduce the council's costs by $3.5 million, but further savings could yet be found, the report indicated.
The multipurpose artificial turf could be used by winter codes when wet weather closed other grounds, meaning the Bathgate, Hancock and Opoho park improvements could wait, the report said.
The $900,000 saving could offset the cost of the artificial turf, while the council's share of the multipurpose turf should also drop by $300,000, to $1.1 million, after fundraising by the Otago Hockey Association, he said.
Loan servicing costs for the $2.8 million redevelopment of the former art gallery building would also be "substantially met" by rent from Sport Otago and Otago Polytechnic.
Resurfacing one of Logan Park's hockey turfs would be paid for by the association, without a council contribution, saving another $400,000, he said.
