Floodlights on the ‘priority’ wish list for the Basin Reserve

Photo: The Post / Bruce Mackay

Report from LDR by Justin Wong
Wellington’s Basin Reserve could soon have new floodlights, with the capital’s cricket administrators viewing a 12-year-old proposal as a top priority ahead of potential changes to international ground regulations.

The project is yet to be costed. But the lights would need a feasibility study and getting a consent for them at New Zealand’s premier cricket ground, alongside State Highway 1 in a residential area, would “have its challenges”, they admitted.

It could also ignite a fight similar to one in Christchurch in 2019, where a lobby group fought against installing six 48.9-metre tall floodlights at Hagley Oval for it to host the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, arguing they would ruin the ground’s “village green character”.

Cricket Wellington’s chief executive Todd Bryant said during a Wellington City Council workshop that the council-owned trust that runs the Basin Reserve was “really concerned” the International Cricket Council (ICC) could soon insist test cricket grounds had floodlights.

Each year, the council pays the trust a grant to run the Basin’s daily operations, with most going towards maintaining the turf.

Installing floodlights has been on the trust’s master plan since 2014 but money set aside for it was spent on earthquake strengthening the Museum Stand to save it from being demolished.

“From about April through to September, the ground doesn’t get a whole lot of access outside of daylight,” Bryant said. “This will allow us to be [an] option for not only sport but other users of the ground because there’ll be lighting on there.”

Councillors were told that not having floodlights means the Basin Reserve misses out on matches for the next T20 World Cup in 2028, which New Zealand is co-hosting with Australia, to Hnry Stadium, and day/night cricket was primetime broadcasting.

New Zealand Cricket wants to bid to host the T20 Women’s World Cup in 2030 or 2032. Cricket Wellington wants the final to be at the Basin Reserve, but they are in competition with other grounds that have floodlights, like Eden Park, Hagley Oval, Seddon Park and Bay Oval.

Another project that needed prioritising was a $2.7 million permanent broadcast tower at the southern Adelaide Rd end that could double as a hospitality venue, replacing the temporary tower that is occasionally out of action due to blustery winds and needs to be dismantled at the end of each season.

But the lights are more pressing, Bryant said. Other items on the agenda centred on hospitality, including a passageway linking the Museum and RA Vance stands, and upgrades to the perimeter fence.

Although ratepayers could be asked to contribute financially, the trust is “heavily committed” to finding money for the projects from elsewhere.

The Basin Reserve will host a test match between the Black Caps and India in November, followed by a White Ferns ODI and T20 against Bangladesh in December, before rounding the home international summer off with a Black Caps ODI with Sri Lanka.