The Invercargill City Council (ICC) will refit the Rugby Southland Supporters Club at Rugby Park Stadium with an un-budgeted expenditure of $100,000 – when the toxic mould can be successfully removed from the building. 

This is a complete turnaround and a very positive outcome for the Rugby Southland Supporters Club (RSSC), with the club president Tony Rabbitt saying he was "really happy" with the result.

"We went expecting to have a lengthy discussion... but it was all resolved with no argument... we're really happy," he said. 

During the last Infrastructural Services meeting on August 5, councillors argued about who was responsible for the work –the ICC or RSSC. 

Although the ICC has committed to "make good" the supporters club, the time frame to get the work done is tight, with it needing to be completed in two weeks (September 11), before the first Mitre 10 Cup game begins on September 13.

ICC property Manager Paul Horner delivered the Rugby Park report at the meeting yesterday afternoon.

He said before any of the fit-out work could be completed, the toxic mould test, which is due back this Friday (August 28), would need to come back clear. 

If the mould test results came back positive, then more cleaning work would need to be done, which takes about three weeks each cycle, and RSSC would not be able to use the building until October 17 at the earliest.

This is the date of the penultimate Mitre 10 Cup game in Invercargill. 

If a clear mould test is reported on Friday, August 28, then the contractors will have two weeks to complete re-fit work on-site before the first Mitre 10 Cup game on September 13.

Mr Horner said, "time is short," to get all the work done in time. 

The list of fit-out work still to do by the ICC with the estimated budgets are as follows:

• Electrical wiring and other cabling - $5000
• Suspended ceiling - $20,000
• Wall linings - $35,000
• Floor coverings - $18,000
• Reinstate fire services - $2000
• Contingency - $20,000

Mr Rabbitt said he was hopeful the work would be completed in time following a negative mould test on Friday, but he said the timeframe would be very tight. 

Councillors also moved to request that the RSSC take responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the sealed doors between its lounge and the Rugby Southland offices.