The speculation over the immediate future of Auckland’s Western Springs Speedway has ended, with promoter Greg Mosen confirming that New Zealand’s home of speedway will remain where it is until the end of the 2019 season.
Rumours were rife that the Springs would move to Mt Smart Stadium, however the Stadium’s incumbent tenant, the NRL’s Vodafone New Zealand Warriors have come to agreement with Auckland Stadium to stay in place.
In a statement on the Western Springs Facebook page, Mosen confirmed the track will stay in play in its current location:
“There has been a lot of publicity over the last few years about Speedway moving to Mt Smart, the Warriors moving to Eden Park, and cricket moving to Western Springs. This will now not be the case,” he said.
In good news for Kiwi Speedway fans, the former home of the New Zealand Speedway Grand Prix will remain a Speedway after arriving at a three year extension with the Council.
“Western Springs will remain a Speedway venue through to and including the 2018/2019 season,” Mosen added.
“This recent three year extension is to provide time to continue our discussions with Auckland Council and Regional Facilities Auckland about their Stadium Strategies.”
Regardless of the extension, by no means is the future of the speedway at Western Springs – located five kilometres from the city’s Central Business District – long term.
Mosen stated that negotiations with Council and other authorities are on-going until a permanent solution can be found.
“We have worked with Auckland Council and Regional Facilities Auckland, extending our stay at Western Springs year by year. Our plan is to continue to do this until either they decide to leave us at Western Springs permanently, or they find us an alternate venue that is clearly a better solution.
“This (finding an alternate venue) has not been the case as yet.”
