New Broom
OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
An ambitious 15-year plan which includes another pavilion has been unveiled by NZ Fieldays Society chief executive Richard Lindroos.
The plan includes upgrades to water, energy, buildings and footprint (roading, parking and access) at the 114ha Mystery Creek property.
A major upgrade to the site's water infrastructure is underway. The $3.2m project, which is partly funded through a $1.35m government loan, includes replacing the existing reticulated water network and installing a 600,000-litre water tank.
Lindroos told journalists that a fit-for-purpose venue is needed to host the Southern Hemisphere's largest agribusiness show and other events.
"And I've been hell-bent, and I don't apologise for that, I'm making that message very clear - we need to improve our assets and what we offer people who hire Mystery Creek venue," he says.
Lindroos says his "four-pronged attack" is spread over 15 years because it must be managed. "Otherwise, we wouldn't host events, we'd be just a construction site."
Lindroos made the case for why they need central government support to get the upgrades done.
"We're a society that is a private venue," he says.
"There are only two private venues in New Zealand of scale, Spark Arena and Mystery Creek - the rest of them are funded by the ratepayer. We're not. So, we have been investing in our site as a society for 58 years, paying our way.
"We will continue to do that, but with some government assistance we can fast-track that and future-proof us, because we're very ambitious of where we want to head to."
On buildings, Lindroos points out that some of the buildings on site have "probably have served their purpose".
The Society recently demolished ("retired" is the word the Society uses) one of its oldest buildings and will use the space as a village green area at this year's National Fieldays.
Lindroos believes that to have a fit-for-purpose venue where multiple events can be held at the same time, they will need another pavilion, estimated to cost $45 million.
He says they would require government assistance to build a new pavilion.
On footprint, Lindroos says this will be improving entry and access ways into site, landscaping and car parking.
Lindroos believes upgrades would allow more large-scale events to come to NZ.
"Right now, they don't come because we don't have the facilities to offer them. There are not many venues that can host mega large-scale events.
"So, that's part of my plan with government, for them and us to identify these mega events and bring them here."
