Part demolitions and uncertainty continue for AMI Stadium, home to the mighty Crusaders and perhaps the most important centre for morale in Christchurch.
Tonight’s TV converage of the city council’s announcement today said it all. Chunks of concrete strewn everywhere; a hallowed turf which looked lunar; walls at jaunty angles. The Hadlee Stand is worst hit and will be demolished. The future of the Paul Kelly Stand and the new Deans Stand, the opening of which I attended last year as local MP, appears uncertain, although repairs are being suggested. Both have dropped around 300-400mm. If repairs ensue, one method would be driving piles down 25 metres to reach solid ground.
I hope that AMI Stadium might be repaired but it feels a bit like those delays after February 22 before the RWC Games were confirmed as not proceeding. Engineering reports and costings are due at council by October.
Interestingly, todays’s announcement on AMI’s uncertain prognosis (and on the other blow - the looming demolition of the Chch Convention Centre) was made by Cr Sue Wells, resplendent in her pink flouro jacket. Mayor Bob and CEO Tony Marryat were on this morning’s flight to Wellington.
Poor Christchurch.
I know this sounds a bit rediculous but maybe the crusaders could use Carisbrook for next year? This is not meant as tongue in cheek. It is a proper stadium with facilites and it will be – empty…. Just a thought. Dunedin is not too far away. I realise they will probably go for Rugby Park – extra seating etc, it’s just a shame that Carisbrook will be unused.
Great idea!
!
*ridiculous*
It’s all the government’s fault! Bloody National, causing all these fricken quakes, boot them out of power!
Tear it down.
And put the name back to Lancaster Park too. These corporate names have no soul.
@ Mike Readman
We never had this many earthquakes under Labour.
I saw Hadlee take his 400th test wicket at Lancaster Park.
Insurance would be the biggest challenge AMI Stadium faces. I would have more sympathy for the place if it was still called Lancaster Park. Corporate naming rights are just plain awful.
My bigger concern for the Phillipstown/Linwood area is the destruction of Linwood Park. I saw on the news tonight that Linwood Park will be used for new residential properties.
Would like to hear more about this Brendon, especially from you.
Does the Government still pay for the uninsured playing surface to be fixed ? Remember this promise was made to a large business which unlike Eden Park or other stadiums didnt have insurance for the ground itself. So much for the rule , no insurance , no money that applies to everyone else.
Any short term replacement stadium also looks like it will have Council/Government paying for a facility for mainly private purposes.
The reason the Crusaders want to stay in town rather than take the sensible option of playing in Dunedin is to keep the sponsors sweet. I remember that New Orleans NFL team went to texas until their ground was fixed.
Quite right Curious, insurance will be the biggest issue.
As for concerns for the wider area, I’ve had my caravan the last two Sundays on Ferry Rd/Osborne St corner seeing Phillipstown/Charleston constituents. Have to say future of AMI not coming up – its about the damage to and future of their houses. Linwood Park in Port Hills electorate – ‘temp’ houses have been going up for months.
What a great opportunity to disband the Crusaders and ship half of them up to Wellington to join Mark Hammett. It might be the only way Wellington ever wins anything
!
On a more serious note, I hope they think carefully about where they put a new state-of-art stadium with hotel, recreation, shopping and convention facilities, in the meantime Alpine Stadium in Timaru look like a good option for 2012.
Shame about Lancaster Park — I saw Sir Richard Hadlee get his 400th test wicket there.
Interestingly, todays’s announcement on AMI’s uncertain prognosis (and on the other blow – the looming demolition of the Chch Convention Centre) was made by Cr Sue Wells, resplendent in her pink flouro jacket. Mayor Bob and CEO Tony Marryat were on this morning’s flight to Wellington
Why the hell is that interesting? Is it some sort of very thinly veiled suggestion the the two were on some sort of Ratepayer funded jaunt?
Not at all Jeff, going to Wellington ain’t no jaunt – just that normally the Mayor fronts these kind of major announcements
Hope you suggested Lancaster Park as a good spot for super 12 Brendon, nice mid point for Canterbury/Nelson areas?