Confident in Team NZ challenge, Auckland want to remain ready to host the 33e America's Cup.

Since the cup was lost in 2003, the land owners of the former America's Cup Village have hatched a redeve- lopment plan which includes Syndicate Row - where the former Team New Zealand and their challengers had their bases.

The team's building is one of only six bases left from the heady days of 2000 and 2003 when Viaduct Harbour sparkled with superyachts and Aucklanders and international visitors flocked to the Cup Village to cheer the racing boat crews.

Four bases were cleared away for a luxury apartment development in the Lighter Basin.

Now, the Waterfront Vision 2040 document, which the city council and Auckland Regional Council issued last year, envisages a deep process of renovation of the Auckland's waterfront, with plans for a bridge to connect downtown Quay St with the western side of Viaduct Harbour and a proposed marine events precinct and an entertainment precinct at Jellicoe St.

The Auckland City Council's general manager of city development, John Duthie, said the bridge would go from Te Wero Island across the viaduct's channel and through the former Alinghi base on the western side to align with Jellicoe St.

Nevertheless, the renovation process is planned in a manner to preserve the capacity to host a third defense in case of successful America's Cup challenge by Emirates Team New Zealand next year.

"We agree that until we know what happens in Valencia next year, we should not do anything that compromises that land", said John Duthie. "Let's see how well we do and put it all together."

But the Auckland authorities have adhered to the maxim that to govern is to foresee, and they are preparing in case of Team NZ victory.

"We would like to do again if we win the cup in Valencia next year", explained Mr Duthie about the concept of the cup village. "The plan is to have easy public access all the time everywhere, though in America's Cup they do have to have some secrecy issues but it's in the way you manage it."

ARC strategy planning committee chairman Paul Walbran said NZ was such a serious contender for the cup that redevelopment plans for the syndicate base area allowed for any future hosting of the regatta.

"We have agreement that the remaining bases and that area remain flexible so the cup bases can be there."

A spokesman for Emirates Team New Zealand said the team did not have a position on the effects of redevelopment on the bases and did not want to get into that sort of debate.

However, prominent Auckland yachting supporter John Street said the bridge must either lift or pivot to allow navigation into the marina and enough space must be provided for all bases. It would not be known for some time how many bases would be needed and when they were needed by.

"But if you had more than six challengers you would have to provide more wharf space", he said. "The plan was to continue Halsey St extension to go further out towards Stanley Pt and a put a dog-leg back towards Princes Wharf, because you would have to create protected water."

Wynyard Point, also known as the tank farm, would the new heart of the America's Cup village. The large-scale (35 hectare) reclaimed area is a landmark (currently held by the bulk liquids industry and other activities) close to the central business district and surrounded by water.

Mr Street said once the requirements were known, rapid decisions would be needed and special legislation to fast-track construction.