Re: Priority One chief executive Nige Tutt's column ‘Substantial benefits from a community stadium' page 13, The Sun, May 5, 2023.

I cannot understand how Mr Tutt can expect us to believe that spending $220.2 million of ratepayers' money on a community stadium will bring substantial benefits to our community – when we already have one. It's called Baypark.

Mr Bob Clarkson purpose- built that stadium for speedway and rugby. It can seat 17,000. That's more than your proposal. Everything's there, and if it needs an upgrade it won't cost anywhere near $220.2 million.

Bob sold that stadium to Tauranga City Council for a pittance with the understanding that it would be there forever (or as near as).

The council added on to make a venue for sports, entertainment etc. The parking area is more than enough.

Now Priority One want to move Baypark – somewhere – and build a new stadium at the domain? That beautiful green space is so precious. We cannot lose it to an unnecessary building.

Not to mention all the sports clubs which have been there for decades and are expected to find new premises? Plus the athletics track, which took so long to be built.

This is not progress for our city. It sounds more like wanting to ‘keep up with the Joneses' when you mention Auckland. Who wants to be like Auckland? Not me, that's for sure.

And $220.2m of ratepayers' money? This does not make sense. I'm sure this amount could be better spent elsewhere – if at all. Thanks for your time.

Diane Joblin, WBOP.