The Chiefs Rugby Club has been given the go-ahead by Hamilton City Council to add 14 new corporate boxes to Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato as the Investec Super Rugby Club looks to boost hosting capacity for its home games.
The Chiefs Rugby Club, a crucial stakeholder and tenant in the Hamilton City Council-owned venue, will fully fund the development of the Goal Line Suites at the Tristram St (eastern) end of the ground.
The suites will be large enough to accommodate 20 guests, increasing the premium hosting within the stadium by 280 places.
Chiefs Rugby Club Commercial Manager Sean Austin says: “Although we still have some commercial and consent aspects to work through, we are confident we can deliver the Goal Line Suites to provide a premium end-of-ground viewing experience that will be the closest hosting space to the playing surface at any major stadium in New Zealand.”
“Located only 8 metres from the stadium playing surface, guests will literally be right on top of the action. The suites will provide a high-quality hosting space, a covered viewing deck, private access gate and covered walkway, as well as their own bathroom facilities.”
Chiefs Rugby Club officials presented the idea to Hamilton City Council at a meeting on 19 April where it was endorsed by the Mayor and Councillors subject to their approval of the commercial terms and conditions. That approval was provided at the subsequent Council meeting held yesterday, 24 May. The Council’s events and venues division, H3, will now work with the Chiefs on the necessary permits and consents.
The intention is for the suites to be in place in time for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series event in Hamilton in January 2019, subject to reaching a required number of sales of the box packages by the Chiefs. They will be constructed using an innovative modular building system called Multi-Pod, developed by a Nelson-based business Ecotech Homes Ltd. The suites, and their supporting infrastructure will be manufactured offsite, shipped to FMG Stadium Waikato and assembled at the Goal Line Terrace (Tristram St) end of the stadium.
Businesses will have the opportunity to lease their own corporate suite to be able to host guests, stakeholders and clients at all events at FMG Stadium Waikato. They will also become a Gallagher Chiefs official team sponsor which includes a range of additional benefits including stadium signage.
The project has been developed with the full support of Council and H3.
Sean Murray, the Council’s General Manager for Venues, Tourism and Major Events, welcomed the Chiefs’ proposed investment in FMG Stadium Waikato.
“The Chiefs Rugby Club is a crucial partner for us as an anchor tenant at FMG Stadium Waikato, and this development is another fine example of rugby investing in hard assets at our venue,” Mr Murray says.
“The club’s investment demonstrates the solidity of our partnership and the Chiefs’ desire to develop our relationship. The Council has made a clear signal to the business community it is interested in public-private partnerships, and this is another example of that.
“We’re looking forward to seeing this great concept become a reality and add to the quality of our world-class venue We’ve worked closely with the Chiefs to ensure their project fits with our overall plans for the stadium.”
The Chiefs are hosting an event Wednesday, 30 May at the Stadium for businesses who may be interested in knowing more about this concept. To register interest please visit www.chiefs.co.nz.
For all media enquiries please contact Sean Austin, Chiefs Commercial Manager at seana@chiefs.co.nz or 021 716 338.
