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Okara Park, Whangarei.The two local body leaders learned of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s decision to demote Northland from rugby’s national premier division immediately after meeting the five firms tendering to build the $16 million events centre.

Mr Farnsworth says Northland rugby’s status has no bearing on planning for the multi-events centre, the need for which is well-established.

“Northland needs this multi-events centre irrespective of what division in which our rugby team competes.

“The centre is a key piece of social infrastructure. The region has been served by the existing facilities at Okara Park for 40 years, which have reached the end of their economic life.

“Those facilities were built by people with vision who were determined to provide Northland’s people with first-class amenities.

“We now need to replace those with a sustainable multi-events centre which will grow with the community and cater for the region’s changing needs for the next 40 years,” Mr Farnsworth said.

Mr Semenoff echoed Mr Farnsworth’s statements, saying the multi-events centre had not had rugby as its central focus.

“The Northland region and Whangarei District deserve to have a quality venue for major sporting, cultural and family events.

“While the rugby union’s decision is disappointing, it does not diminish the need for this important multi-events facility for the people of Northland,” Mr Semenoff said.

At the preliminary meeting with the five firms tendering for the project, Mr Farnsworth and Mr Semenoff stressed that it was vital it was kept within the $16 million budget.

Both Councils have strict financial guidelines surrounding the multi-events centre.

The firms were also advised that weighting would be given to bids which included significant input from local contractors.