New stadium for earthquake ravaged Christchurch

A new temporary stadium with seating for 17,000 will be built for major sporting and cultural events in Christchurch.

Plans for the new stadium, to be built on the site of Rugby League Park in the suburb of Addington, where the current stands have to be demolished, were unveiled yesterday (8th November) by Prime Minister John Key. The stadium, whose capacity could be extended to 26,000 for major events, will provide a home ground for test matches and local sports teams for between three and five years.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) have already backed the new venue by announcing that the All Blacks will play a test at the new stadium in 2012, against Ireland.

The new venue will replace AMI Stadium and the existing stands at Rugby League Park, both of which were damaged in the 22nd February earthquake that ravaged Christchurch.

Prime Minister Key explained that "the new temporary stadium will allow Cantabrians to experience the excitement of Crusaders and Canterbury ITM Cup home games again as well as Phoenix football matches, rugby league games, other major sporting events, concerts and festival events.

"I'm thrilled the New Zealand Rugby Union has also announced today our world champion All Blacks will play a test match against Ireland at the new venue in June next year.

"Restoring the opportunity for Cantabrians to support their major sporting teams is an important part of the recovery and rebuilding of Christchurch.

"Cantabrians have had to endure so much over the past 14 months, with the series of earthquakes meaning they missed out on hosting any Rugby World Cup matches and all of the Crusaders' and Canterbury ITM Cup home games this year.

"Today's announcement about the new stadium is fantastic news after it was decided a few months ago that the badly damaged AMI Stadium would be closed for all of 2012 as engineering assessments continue."

Construction will start on the Christchurch City Council-owned venue next week and is expected to be completed by March next year, in time for the 2012 Super Rugby season and the Crusaders' first home game.

A new temporary stadium will be built and will include undercover seating for 8,500 people and corporate hosting facilities.

The $20 million cost for the temporary stadium will be underwritten by the Government, with funding support from the Christchurch City Council and the NZRU. Funding support will also be sought from corporate sponsors and the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Trust.

The new temporary stadium will be run by a Trust and is intended as the medium term home for rugby in Christchurch until the future of the AMI Stadium is decided.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement stating "the earthquakes devastated a number of our sporting venues, leaving sporting codes and entertainment events without a home. I am delighted with the initiative to develop Rugby League Park, which will ultimately ensure Christchurch will again be able to host sporting fixtures and special entertainment events."

Mayor Parker says the Council led the redevelopment of the ground with the announcement in September that it would contribute a million dollars to the upgrade of Rugby League Park, adding "this venue will be such an asset to a city getting back on its feet and it will benefit not only sports fans, but the whole community."

The announcement on the stadium development has also been welcomed by New Zealand Football (NZF).

NZF Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh said the venue would be a welcome addition to options for future All Whites and Football Ferns matches as well as the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

McKavanagh stated that "combined with the opening of ASB Football Park last month, the new stadium means Christchurch will have the football infrastructure to enjoy all aspects of the game, from Whole of Football initiatives at junior and youth level, to local and national league matches and now high-profile international fixtures as well.

"It's also an important step in Christchurch being able to host matches during the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, an event which will give the city valuable world-wide exposure."

Images An artist's impression of the planned new venue (top) and a cloud of dust rises over Christchurch after February's earthquake (below).

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