AusLeisure

Darren Burden, Chief Executive of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML), managers of Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium, it to leave the organisation take up a role with Christchurch City Council's venue management company, Vbase.

Vbase is responsible for CBS Canterbury Arena, the Air Force Museum and AMI Stadium, and, if plans are confirmed, could eventually add a new roofed stadium to its portfolio.

Burden is expected to work out a notice period of up to six months before departing.

Chief Executive of the former Carisbrook Stadium Trust from 2007 to 2010, before becoming DVML Operations Director in January 2010, Burden became DVML Chief Executive in September last year, replacing David Davies.

Burdens impending departure is seen as a major loss for venue managers with DVML Chairman Sir John Hansen telling the Otago Daily Times that the news came "out of the blue" and was "disappointing".

Sir John added "there's no use getting uptight about these things. He's made a decision. We've got to accept it, because he's entitled to under his contract.

"We'll just find a replacement and move on ... no-one's indispensable."

Sir John added that it was a "reasonable supposition" to assume Burden's years of experience with Forsyth Barr Stadium would help progress the planned new roofed stadium in Christchurch, adding "he has a lot of knowledge because he's been involved from the beginning of this project, firstly with the Carisbrook Stadium Trust and then with us."

5th August 2011 - DUNEDIN’S FORSYTH BARR STADIUM OPENS

1st July 2011 - NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR VBASE

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