New plans to upgrade Western Springs for concerts of up to 30,000 people, while retaining the Ponsonby Rugby Club will be presented to Auckland councillors for a final decision this month.  Auckland Council today announced plans for semi‑permanent staging to support festivals and concerts of up to 30,000 people, alongside an upgraded boutique sports configuration designed for events of around 5000 fans.  It comes after Auckland rich-listers Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams, and American billionaires Bill Foley and Bennett Rosenthal, abandoned plans last July for an “Auckland Arena” at Western Springs as the home of Auckland FC.  Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray were backing the now abandoned Auckland Arena at Western Springs. Photo / Supplied  It was pitched to cost $200m-$300m with a 12,500-seat rectangular stadium.  After this preferred option was ditched, the council’s events arm Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) has further developed a ‘Western Springs Bowl’ concept.  This option proposed a permanent music and festival venue with capacity for 50,000 people, making use of the natural amphitheatre and adding new permanent staging infrastructure.  It also included a 5000–8000‑seat boutique stadium and community sports facility with clubrooms, a corporate hospitality space and a gym. The site would continue to operate as a community sports facility and remain the home of Ponsonby Rugby Club.  The refined option, unveiled today, retains the event-related benefits of the original proposal and the continued presence of Ponsonby Rugby Club, while reducing the level of ratepayer funding required to $2.5m.  Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson  Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said the process had been about unlocking the full potential of Western Springs Stadium so it can be used more often and by more people.  It puts TAU in a stronger position to compete with Eden Park for mid-sized concerts and events, following the Government’s recent decision to allow the privately owned stadium to host up to 12 large concerts and 20 medium‑sized concerts each year.  Said Simpson: “As a key venue in our stadium network, the right solution will strengthen this iconic asset [Western Springs] as a multi-use facility for sport, festivals, concerts and community events.”  TAU chief executive Nick Hill was enthusiastic about the opportunities the redeveloped concept could generate for Auckland.  “As the stadium’s owners, we know how crucial it is to find the best future use for all Aucklanders.  “This summer’s concerts at the stadium had an incredible impact culturally and economically for Tāmaki Makaurau, so we are excited by the future opportunities the Western Springs Bowl concept would deliver.  “The redeveloped proposal is cost-effective for ratepayers and can deliver a fit-for-purpose venue with immediate benefits, giving promoters confidence ahead of next summer’s concert season,” said Hill.  Western Springs Bowl would provide mid-sized venue capacity larger than Spark Arena, but below major venues such as Go Media Stadium and Eden Park, he said.  More to come