Speedway’s lease at Western Springs has been extended for another 12 months, Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) chair Andrew Barnes has confirmed.
The lease had been set to end at the close of the season that ends tomorrow, but the replacement site identified by Auckland Council, Colin Dale Park, is not yet fit for purpose.
Mr Barnes said the agreement buys some time for Auckland Council.
“We have succeeded in resolving the matter for now, so Speedway can continue uninterrupted in the short term, but some critical and urgent decisions have to be made by Auckland Council so we do not find ourselves in this situation ever again.”
“Speedway’s view is that the proposed alternative venue of Colin Dale Park would be suitable, but we cannot move from Western Springs until it is ready, Springs Promotions Limited (SPL) promoter Bill Buckley said.
“Council has not yet approved the necessary funding to upgrade it. Speedway has a lot of very passionate supporters and we were never going to be thrown out of our home without an alternative in place.”
“We appreciate RFA’s collaborative approach in finding a short-term solution, but the problem remains and only Council can solve it. RFA and I have agreed that unless Council fixes this we will all find ourselves back dealing with this in a year’s time.”
The RFA would begin working with Council to find speedway a permanent home, Mr Barnes said.
“It is Council’s responsibility to take the lead and find a permanent home which meets the needs of Speedway fans and is appropriate for Auckland’s ratepayers. Speedway is part of the city’s sporting culture and it is not acceptable for it to have nowhere to go.”
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