The Vector Arena is a 12,000-seat arena for sports and cultural events in Auckland City, New Zealand. Its opening long delayed, the arena had a "Public Open Day" on 18 March 2007, and the first concert held in the arena was Rock Star Supernova on 24 March 2007. [1] Named for a sponsor, Vector Limited, the arena is located at Quay Park, very close to the former Auckland Railway Station. It is estimated that Vector Arena will cost around $80 million. Of this sum, ratepayers have contributed $68 million for the facility to be managed by QPAM, the Australian operator, in New Zealand first big public-private partnership, to run for 40 years before ownership is transferred to the city. [2] [3]

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Usage

The new arena is able to hold a wide-variety of events ranging from concerts and exhibitions to sports. Reportedly, sports such as netball, basketball, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, equestrian and motorcross will be able to be accommodated in the arena. Major team sports events like rugby are not possible in the arena, mainly due to the size of the court and the comparatively small number of seats (compared to the 40,000-60,000 mooted as necessary for the Rugby World Cup). Due to this fact, the Vector Arena was not part of the discussion surrounding Stadium New Zealand on the waterfront.

It is currently (May 2008) the biggest indoor facility in New Zealand. No decision has yet been made as to its longterm tenants but it may house the New Zealand Breakers and the Auckland Stars basketball teams. Vector Arena will host one regular-season fixture for the Northern Mystics netball team.

Problems

Delays

Scheduled to open early 2006, this was first delayed towards the end of 2006, when a second opening date was again missed. The delays were apparently due to the Arena's builder, Mainzeal, having various problems with the structure, especially with the roof, where the 120 m main truss had to be strengthened, ^[4] and where added insulation to waterproof the building against the humid local climate had to be included. In a related issue, extra ventilation also had to be installed to prevent internal humidity build-up during full-capacity events. ^[5] The construction company reportedly faced huge losses on the project, ^[6] and planned to sue the architects for partial compensation.

Suitability

Dave Rat, the sound engineer of Red Hot Chili Peppers, has criticized the sound quality of the venue after the band played concerts in the Arena during April 2007. He noted that the echo from the curved roof was problematic, and that acoustic panels would need to be installed to improve the arena, especially for those listeners on the upper seating levels. He also criticised the polished concrete floors as too slippery for mass events.

Chris Tate, sound designer for Rockstar: Supernova's first concert at the arena, has however noted that the acoustics were better than expected, and could be improved further. It was also noted that such work is already in preparation. ^[7]

References

1. ''Tommy Lee’s Rock Star Supernova, Melbourne's “Anti-Rock Stars” Wrap World Tour'' - Press Release, Sunday 25 March 07
2. Vector Arena: Sponsor / Naming Rights Sponsor (from the Auckland City website)
3. ''Secret update for council on troubled Vector Arena'' - New Zealand Herald, Tuesday December 12 2006
4. ''Arena workers back on job after roof problems'' - New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 11 April 2006
5. ''Troubled stadium tipped to open in March'' - New Zealand Herald, Saturday 06 January 2007, page A6
6. ''Red ink reins in builder Mainzeal'' - New Zealand Herald, Monday 06 March 2006
7. ''Chili Peppers' sound man: Vector Arena not good enough'' - New Zealand Herald, Thursday 26 April 2007