A leading music promoter says a proposal to increase the capacity at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth could put it amongst New Zealand's premier concert venues.
Photo: Tim Gruar / McKenzie Jennings-Gruar
But he wants the council to go one step further, and fill in the iconic lake in front of the Bowl stage.
The council is proposing that 20,000 fans be allowed to cram into the amphitheater - 5000 more than is permitted now.
The Bowl of Brooklands has hosted some of the biggest names in show business including Fleetwood Mac and Elton John, and kiwi favourites such as Six60 and Crowded House.
It is also the main stage at the Womad festival.
Council is reviewing its reserve management plan for Pukekura Park and the adjoining Brooklands Park.
In a discussion document it says most larger acts won't play venues that hold less than 20,000 and identifies increasing capacity at the Bowl as a "key opportunity".
Fans invade the stage during Split Enz 1983 concert at the Bowl of Brooklands. Photo: Supplied
President of the NZ Promoters Association Brent Eccles thought it was a great idea.
"There's no 20,000 capacity venue in Wellington, you actually go from 4000 to 40,000 in one jump, so there's that potential there.
"And you've got the whole of the Waikato area and Napier and Taranaki and Manawatū to draw on because, you know, it's a purpose-built venue with a purpose-built stage, so that's attractive and it's a beautiful spot."
Eccles has bought international acts such Ed Sheeran and the Rolling Stones to New Zealand and toured Fat Freddys Drop and Six60 around the country.
He said New Plymouth could become a viable stopover for acts playing Auckland and Christchurch.
But he thought the lake in front of the Bowl stage should go.
"You've got to ask yourselves do you just want to be a bit of an add-on or do you want to be a straight-up really attractive proposition?
"And I think New Plymouth wants to have that very attractive proposition because of the knock-on effect of people coming to town and the hotel nights and because the restaurants pump and the bars pump and it's a great time, so I think it's a small concession to cover the moat."
Part of the audience at last year's Womad Festival. The main stage is the Bowl of Brooklands Photo: Supplied
Taranaki hospitality industry stalwart Terry Parkes owns the Nice Hotel and Table restaurant.
He was on the same page.
"Anything that is going to increase the number of people coming to New Plymouth or Taranaki is great for hospitality, great for any of this industry.
"Increasing capacity at the Bowl ... well I mean the Bowl is an iconic thing for New Zealand and I think covering in the lake, bringing the crowd more to the stage and giving it a more 2025 feel is a great idea."
Council planning manager Juliet Johnson said there was no proposal to fill-in the lake, but promoters wanted more flexibility.
"So they can have a space that can be available for a range of events, so that could be for a space where you want an up front more intimate concert space where there's a platform over the lake or where that's removed and the lake is between the stage and the Bowl."
NPDC planning manager Juliet Johnson. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
The discussion document proposes developing a permanent adjustable lake cover system.
It would replace the temporary scaffolding solution that the council presently installs over the lake at a cost of $70,000 ahead of larger concerts.
Johnson said the tincreased capacity in the Bowl would be achieved - in the main - by creating terraces in higher reaches of the amphitheatre.
People strolling in the park had mixed views on increasing capacity at the Bowl.
Jill was a fan.
"I think it's a very good idea. I think it's a wonderful venue for entertainment and at the moment the lack of terracing is quite difficult for people who are my age, so if I want to go to anything with my family getting in there and getting a seat at the bottom is quite difficult."
John wasn't feeling it.
"They should leave it how it is because they had thousands extra in there when it first went in, didn't they years ago? And leave the lake how it is."
Shelly was also a fan of the lake/moat.
"I'd hate to see the lake covered for good, I'd really hate that."
Ellen thought the council had enough on it's plate already.
"I think at the moment they should focus on what is already there because they already struggle with capacity."
Julie was happy with the proposal.
"I think it's a great idea it will bring people into New Plymouth and that's great for everyone and the economy."
But a woman who preferred not to give her name saw it differently.
"No, I wouldn't want to see it happen. I think it's a really beautiful natural unique setting how it is and I don't think every concert venue has to take large capacity crowds."
Self-styled park watchdogs, Friends of Pukekura Park, have previously expressed reservations about increasing capacity at the Bowl, but declined to comment on the discussion document until it had time to consider it.
Other ideas included in the discussion document include:
- Replacing the Bellringer Pavillion at the Pukekura Park sports field
- Revamping the Tea House plaza and Cannon Hill area
- Creating an off-road commuter cycling route through the park
The council's Strategy and Operations Committee will consider the document next week.
If approved it will go out for public consultation on 17 June.