Posted: 17 July 2007
Shepherd to chair proposed Events Centre Trust
Businessman Bill Shepherd has been appointed as Chairman of the seven-strong trust tasked with establishing a multimillion dollar proposed regional events centre in Whangarei.
Mr Shepherd, 62, a Ruatangata businessman and farmer, was chosen to head the newly-named ‘Northland Events Centre Trust’ by his fellow trustees at a recent meeting in Whangarei.
He says the seven independently-appointed trustees have requested a number of minor changes to the draft trust deed provided to them by the ‘settlors’ of the trust; the Whangarei District and Northland Regional Councils and the Northland Rugby Union. (The two Councils are major funders of the proposed centre and the Union will be its anchor tenant).
Mr Shepherd says the proposed changes to the deed must now be approved by the settlors before the trust has official legal status and can formally assume full responsibility for delivery of the project.
“All going well, that approval from the settlors should come through within the next month. In the meantime, work has already begun to identify a suitably experienced consultant to carry out a full feasibility study for the proposed centre as required by the two Councils.”
Mr Shepherd says Council funding for the proposed centre is conditional on trustees putting together a proposal that will not require additional ratepayer money during either the facility’s construction or its ongoing operation.
Similarly, the facility must be multi-use and independently managed.
Mr Shepherd, who is also Chairman of the Northland Hockey Association, says establishing an independent and truly multi-use facility is a crucial factor to the proposal’s success.
“Trustees are aware that some in the community remain sceptical of assurances that rugby’s interests will not dominate the project. While the Rugby Union will be a key tenant, all trustees are totally committed to ensuring that the centre is truly multi-use and will provide excellent facilities for a wide range of community purposes.”
Mr Shepherd says he has great confidence in the calibre and professionalism of his fellow trustees who include businessman Shayne Heape, surveyor Bryce Woodward, accountants Don Hewitt and Steve Bennett, organisation development consultant Richard Engdahl and lawyer Peter Macauley.
He says the group plans to meet again in early August.