Inner-city match popular, boosts CBD

KEEN FANS: David Cartwright and Therese Ford-Cartwright with their children Tiana, 10 and Ineka, 6, on The Strand before the Steamers-Waikato game on Sunday afternoon. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

The Steamers' return to Tauranga Domain on Sunday proved to be a big boost for businesses in the CBD.

Despite the Steamers' 43-10 loss to Waikato, the crowd remained positive, enjoying the fanzone on Wharf St and the Strand before the game and returning after to make the most of the bars and restaurants close by.

The feedback on the venue has been overwhelmingly positive, with some restaurants and bars reporting a 100 per cent increase in the number of customers, compared to a usual Sunday afternoon.

Craig Wilson, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union sales and relationship manager, said 4500 people were in the 6000-seat stadium for the game.

About 500 tickets were sold from Baycourt on the day, he said.

The Rugby Union opted not to set up a temporary ticket booth at the game as a way to prevent big lines and waiting times for the crowd.

"The event went off really well. We've had nothing but positive feedback.

"This particular day was about showcasing the Domain as a place to play and I think we did well with that."

From a player's perspective, Steamers co-captain Carl Axtens said the whole team "really enjoyed" playing at the domain.

"I was talking to Brad Weber, the Waikato captain, after the game and he really liked it as well.

"It got the crowd a lot closer to the game. I thought it was awesome ... There was plenty of colour in the crowd."

Mayor Stuart Crosby went along to the game and noticed the location allowed a lot of people to walk from home, along Chapel St from the direction of Bureta and Matua.

"I think it was a success in many ways. I spoke to a lot of people who were very happy to be back there at the domain."

People enjoyed the proximity to town, close seating to the game and were surprised that parking was not a problem.

Brooklyn Patio and Eatery owner Dean Teddy said business was "100 per cent better than any other Sunday".

"It was great to see and we had great feedback from the punters, mainly that the game was in the city - the difference being it was walking distance to the restaurants and bars.

"A lot of people said they'd like to see more of it there."

They had decorated the front of the bar to support both teams and create an atmosphere that "The Strand really needs to work hard at", Mr Teddy said.

"About 1.30pm it really kicked off and a good return after the game. You'd be a fool not to be interested in having more events in the CBD."

Crown and Badger manager Lance Milne said it was twice as busy as usual from about 1pm onwards.

"We sort of had a quiet period when the game was on and then people came back afterwards."

They usually would not get any of the supporter crowds before or after a home Steamers game when it was held at ASB Baypark, he said.

Downtown Tauranga Manager Sally Cooke said the Wharf St entertainment was popular throughout the afternoon.

"I understand a number of the bars and restaurants on The Strand had some good crowds after the game and hopefully did pretty well out of it."

BOPRU media and events co-ordinator Amanda Thompson said, despite the loss, the game had a great atmosphere and the Waikato players also relished the chance to play at the domain.

"It did have that real 'feel good' vibe about it compared to other home games. There was certainly a buzz in the city and at the domain."