Meeting at Manfeild.

I had a very good meeting with Paul Cocks, the new Manfeild CEO, along with Julia Sanson, our contact there, on Thursday 3 July.

They consider us very important clients and I was impressed with their keenness to look after our interests.  We discussed the relationship we’ve developed, and the issues that have arisen.  I’ll be writing a detailed article for Dog World in which I’ll set out details of costs and how they’re made up, but for now, here are the major points.

The floor will be renewed within the term of the current contract, and we will be consulted about the surface.  The minimum standard they’re aiming for will be the same as the concrete currently around the edge.  Because the job will cost some millions of dollars and the three main Manfeild stakeholders, the Manawatu District Council, the Feilding Industrial Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Manawatu Car Club, need to provide the funding, the job won’t be done overnight, but it is on the way.   The project will include the provision of changing rooms and showers too.

The surface preparation on the present floor is standard; all clients get the same and are free to do further work on it if they wish.  Any further work by Manfeild would incur a cost.  We will investigate getting a manual roller to store with the rest of our equipment up there so that it can be left out for clubs’ use.  Manfeild has learnt from experience how and when to dampen it for us so that it is dry on the day.

Astroturf is available for hire and they have enough to cover about three quarters of the floor, but the cost would be $2,200/day + GST.

I was left a little puzzled by some of the complaints that I’ve heard bandied about, and I wonder whether they arose from early teething issues that have since been sorted out.  The wetness of parts of the floor shouldn’t be an issue now.  Nor should the concerns about the “extra charges,” because the information provided to clubs is comprehensive enough for them to work out in advance what they want to use and what it might cost.   Julia is working on an improved information sheet that should provide further clarity, and a simplified booking sheet.

Users should know who will lock up at the end of a day because that is spelled out on the information sheet and users are briefed on what to do to douse the lights and secure the building if they happen to finish early.   Similarly, electricity usage shouldn’t be an issue because the standard show package covers the likely usage based on our previous use and users are shown how to turn lights and fans on and off as required. 

Catering costs may add to a user’s costs, but the catering is selected by the user, not imposed by Manfeild, so that variable is within clubs’ control.   The commercial kitchen is available for hire if clubs want to do their own catering so anyone interested in exploring that possibility should discuss with Julia the relative costs of that option vs using a caterer.

Crockery is not available.  The small amount that has been provided to some users in the past is Manfeild’s and has been loaned as a goodwill gesture but this can’t become a standard practice so clubs should bring their own.   

The contract provides for annual cost of living adjustments to the charges, but please remember that Manfeild’s supplier costs increase relentlessly, just like everyone else’s, so they have to pass those increases on.  They already charge us considerably less than they charge other clients, and then Dogs NZ charges clubs much less again.  You end up paying about what you would pay at Ardmore or most other venues.   There are no plans to change the fee structure, although they could bundle some charges together if that would simplify things for clubs.

Camping and shower charges are set out on the booking sheet.  They may have changed since the first round of shows held there but they’re stable now.  Check with your club’s treasurer if you have questions about campsite charges because I know that some clubs clip the ticket by adding a little to the Manfeild charges.  (Sorry if that was supposed to be a secret treasurers)!

Our equipment in (free) storage at the venue is not doing well, through no fault of Manfeild’s.  The container we provided has condensation and mould issues that have not improved much despite the steps that were taken to improve ventilation.  EC will address this as a matter of urgency but be warned that storing in Manfeild premises will incur a cost.

I believe that Manfeild are looking after us very well, and they are perfectly open to any discussions about how they can improve their offering.