British and Irish Lions tour match adds to calls for new Canberra Stadium

With the limitations of the current Canberra Stadium exposed by this week's British and Irish Lions tour match, the ACT Government is under pressure to bring forward its plans to build a new multipurpose stadium.

The current Canberra Stadium's potential to handle major fixtures was to put to the test for Tuesday's fixture with seats having to be removed from the Meninga Stand to meet media requirements and post-match media commitments being conducted in the adjacent AIS Arena.

Two temporary television suites had to be erected at the northern end of the ground while limited undercover seating was seen as having deterred fans from turning up in sub-zero temperatures.

Venue management also added 10 food and drink outlets around the ground after complaints following the Anzac rugby league Test match in the capital in April.

The ACT Government has plans to be build a roofed stadium capable of hosting multiple events including rugby and football by 2020. Estimated to cost $220 million, the new venue would help ensure that Canberra can attract blockbuster events.

Territory Venues General Manager Neale Guthrie told The Canberra Times that a new covered venue was a "necessity", adding "15 years ago people would come to the footy even if it was cold. But these days you can stay at home in front of a big flat-screen television or go to a club or pub."

Guthrie added that the design of a new stadium would have to be flexible "to adapt to everything they need."

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