We all have our happy places. Mine is sitting under a pohutukawa on the embankment at the Basin Reserve, enjoying good company, the sunshine and an exciting game of cricket.
My love affair with the ground started over 20 years ago. Over that time I’ve seen Test victories and defeats, history making innings and the world’s best come and go. I spent my formative years collecting autographs, waiting patiently beside the white picket fence with a mini-bat outstretched.
The Basin Reserve is a very special place. But there are big discussions going which will change it. How would you feel if someone wanted to change your happy place? Would you be happy about it?
A two month resource consent process is underway for the Basin Reserve Flyover which will see 265 metres of new road built 20m north of the famous cricket ground. It is part of the national roads of significance project, and affects not only Wellingtonians, but all New Zealanders.
Over 130 issues have been raised regarding the flyover. But it’s important to have a robust debate about something that could and would change the shape and feel of this country’s most recognised cricket ground.
Here's a shot of the Basin Reserve in 1951. #NZvInd @BLACKCAPS I think Baz was batting then still. pic.twitter.com/g8MPk049nz
— Craig Lucinsky (@louis_slugso) February 16, 2014
I’ve had an opportunity to talk with both cricket and non-cricket fans alike, and the feelings are mixed about this. Those for it argue that it will divert 18,000 of the 35,000 cars per day and will save 90 seconds in normal traffic and maybe up to 7-and-a-half minutes in peak hour. It can take upwards of 20 minutes to get around the Basin on a bad day. So this could be a good thing for traffic flow.
It is also proposed that if the flyover was to be built, a new pavilion will be installed along the northern side of the ground, stretching from the side of the RA Vance stand right around to the start of the embankment. Its purpose is to block the flyover and freshen up facilities at the ground. (If you’ve ever seen under the RA Vance stand you’d understand how much in need we are of a new pavilion!) Many cricket fans are keen for this.
I even asked some umpires whether it would be noisier with a flyover, and according to them the Basin is noisy as it is. How often do you hear an ambulance zip around the outside? But they aren’t worried, because they suggest it’s actually worse in places like India because of the crowds.
But the other side’s arguments are just as strong. Arguably the Basin Reserve is the Lord’s of New Zealand. Would they build a flyover next to Lord’s? Probably not. The flyover will be visible from the ground and not all of it will be blocked by a pavilion. It’s been argued the flyover will increase traffic problems and we will be able to see the traffic snaking to the Mt Victoria tunnel from the ground. Is that the image we want to broadcast to cricketing nations across the globe?
I’ve also heard arguments that it will change the wind – something the Basin is known for. The wind is our secret weapon. We have to have special coaches train us how to bowl into the blustery Wellington wind. Some touring countries don’t know what to do it with it. Do we want to rid ourselves of this supposed home-town advantage?
The flyover has even been described as a ‘50s relic with some experts even saying in other cities in the world they are being pulled down, not built.
You can hear me talking about the Basin Reserve on the Sunday Morning show here:
And here’s a great piece from Radio New Zealand, looking at both sides.
What do you think? Tweet me.
