The Decline of Otago Rugby and the Stadium

The current low state of Otago Rugby has consequences for the viability of the proposed new Stadium. Its operating budget relies on large crowds going to Super14 and NPC matches. The projected Operating Budget is based on Carisbrook crowds up to 2006. It is no secret Carisbrook crowd numbers have collapsed over the last two years, but the actual figures do seem to be secret. At the end of last year in a letter to the ODT, I asked for these figures (for last year), but the Carisbrook Stadium Trust declined the ODT's request to provide them.
I believe that the paid attendance figures for Super 14 and NPC matches at Carisbrook in 2007 and 2008 should be made publicly available. Then there can be a debate about what are realistic figures to be used in Stadium's operating budget. I have no doubt that using this year's figures would result in a significant deficit.