Plans released last year for the East Stand include a 1800 capacity tribune facing the main pitch Photo: Supplied
The Taranaki Regional Council is holding its cards close to its chest ahead of an announcement on the rebuild of the east stand at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.
As construction costs rise around the country, the council has signalled it is meeting next month to re-examine its plans before moving ahead with the project.
Yarrow Stadium was closed in 2017 after both covered stands were declared an earthquake risk.
The council initially proposed a rebuild that would cost $50 million, in June 2022 it announced that had jumped 40 percent to $70 million.
At the same time, it released plans for the east stand which it described as a major project milestone.
Chairperson Charlotte Littlewood said next month councillors would be looking again at the design, cost and construction timeline.
"We've ticked off doing the preparatory earthworks and then information on the cost, timeline all those factors that's coming back to council for a decision to go to the next stage in July, so I can't comment on any of that because the council hasn't made a decision yet, but I know there's a lot of public interest."
Plans revealed last year include a double-sided stand with 1800 capacity facing the main pitch, three function and hospitality areas and two kitchens, larger changing rooms and bigger more flexible spaces for match officials.
The proposed function and hospitality space includes two kitchens and can be configured for small or large events. Photo: Supplied
Back then the council said the east stand would be up and running next year.
It was now rebuffing efforts to confirm that these features, cost and timeline remain current, citing commercial sensitivity.
Charlotte Littlewood said all would be revealed next month.
"So once we've made that decision we'll let people know. I can't really say much more than that because it's going through a process and the appropriate time to let people know what's going on is when the council make a decision on the next step of the process, so that's the east stand progressing to the next stage beyond the preparatory earthworks."
New Plymouth District Council operates the stadium.
When complete the proposed Yarrow Stadium redevelopment will have a capacity of about 25,000. Photo: Supplied
Mayor Neil Holdom was opened-minded about what any update might reveal.
"We're the operator so whatever they build we'll just run it. We ran a very successful Reds Super Rugby game a couple of weeks ago, the pitch is looking really good and the western stand is all up and running.
"So, we're like everyone else if there is an update we look forward to finding out what the detail is."
He said he would not be surprised if the cost had jumped again.
"Anybody who is building anything in New Zealand at the moment is dealing with really difficult issues in terms of cost escalation.
"I mean I don't think there's a project in the country that isn't dealing with those issues and we've got them on our own projects.
"And certainly the trends in terms of construction inflation they are about double the Consumer Price Index and you know how hard the CPI is hitting people."
The Taranaki Rugby Union rents Yarrow Stadium for its matches.
Chief executive Mike Sandle said he hdd been told the east stand would be open in 2025.
"It will be nice to be back there in a fully complete stadium with two stands and we obviously returned back there last year, but it's really good to see the development taking place and I think when it is complete we are going to have a regional venue that's going to be the envy of every other regional centre in New Zealand."
As a tenant it was not really his place to talk about progress on the project, he said, but he had not been told of any major delays.
What do local residents think?
New Plymouth residents had mixed feelings about the project.
Jo reckoned get on with it.
"You know building cost are always going up and up so the longer they hold off on things it's always going to be more expensive isn't it?"
George said it was too late to rethink things majorly.
"I suppose now they've pulled the bleeding thing down they may as well put it back."
Charles said they had to keep their plans circumspect.
"They need to build something that's practicable and rather than flash and they're just wasting money."
Janice was not a fan.
"I'm totally against it because I just think it's blowing out of all proportion when there are other sports places that need the money."
Levi was not convinced either.
"I think they just need to keep it simple because looking at that Chiefs v Reds game the other day they didn't really fill too many seats, so is another big stand is that financially worth building? I don't think so."
Taranaki residents and businesses were paying $40m towards the project via a targeted rate over 25 years.
The government was chipping in $30m.
