Fast track, stay the course, or shelve the EA Networks Centre court extension?

Construction on the $23m EA Networks Centre court extension in Ashburton is planned for 2031.

Mayoral and council candidates shared their views during a recent election event.

What do the four Ashburton mayoral candidates thinks?

Russell Ellis acknowledged the stadium is a great asset, but said it’s a lot of money and “we have to be patient”.

“We need to do it at the right time so that it is affordable to everyone.

“I’m in favour of it, but we need to stick to our long-term plan and our budgets.”

Liz McMillan also advocated for a patient approach.

“We did have to weigh up if we can afford it right now and, somethings, we just have to wait.

“The beauty of the long-term plan is it’s a 10-year plan, it’s in that plan, and we can relook at it again in 2026.”

Rob Mackle believes it falls in the nice-to-have category

“It’s been shelved for now, and I think it should be shelved a bit further out.

“We have some big expenses coming up.

“[The stadium] services its needs at the moment. Very often it doesn’t fill to capacity.

“It’s just a service, it does not make any money, and we have other priorities.”

Jeff Ryan wants to fast-track the court extension.

“We need the three courts, and we need them now. We should fast-track it.

“Let’s borrow, let’s do it, and let’s pay it off.”

What do the council candidates think?

The other Ashburton Ward candidates all supported the extension, when the community decides the timing is right.

Tony Todd is in favour of the extension but was non-committal on the timing – “that’s something for a future council to decide”.

Phill Hooper said the cost was prohibitive, and the council can't afford it right now.

It only gets busy at peak times and sports are doing fine juggling the space they have. “It’s not on my to-do list in the near future”.

Steph Poole said it comes down to what the community wants.

“Is it really vital for our community and listening to whether it’s something we need right now.

“Maybe three extra courts can wait”.

Carolyn Cameron said $23m for the extra courts was a lot of money when there are competing investments, including the focus on the core services of roading – including the new second bridge road and water infrastructure.

Julie Moffett said the council had gone through the consultation process.

“What is the rush if it’s something that can be put off for a few years.

“It doesn’t mean it isn’t going to happen, it just means there are other priorities that take precedence before that.

“Do it when the time is right,” Moffett said.

Dolf van Amersfoort said that keeping children busy is one of the best ways to keep a community safe.

“It’s possibly one of the best investments we make into the future of our children”. He did not reference the timing of the extension.

Leonard Cojocaru was absent from the event.

The question was also put to the Western Ward candidates, who were not part of last week’s candidate event.

Deb Gilkison supports the extension happening “sooner rather than later” as long as the dollars make sense.

“The stadium is an important asset.

“It’s just a matter of making the money go around.

Jeanette Maxwell said the extension has to come when the time is right, balancing population growth and cost.

“It may be that we do it in the future, but you need to see in the next five years if there is the demand and the need.”

Eastern Ward councillors Richard Wilson and Phill Everest have won their seats unopposed.

Wilson said he is in favour of the extension in the long term as the town grows.

“We have to see if we can afford it in the future.”

Everest said it comes down to affordability.

"I love to see that place packed out, but it comes down to the balance of what we can afford."

By Jonathan Leask