World Cup fan zones proposed

Otago and Southland organisers are finalising their 2011 Rugby World Cup plans, which include special fan zones for Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill.

Regions were invited to submit applications to World Cup organisers for fan zones during the 2011 event.

A decision on applications is expected by the end of April.

Dunedin City Council marketing communications agency manager Debra Simes confirmed a proposal had been sent to tournament organisers for a fan zone in the Octagon.

Live entertainment and a big television screen to watch the games was planned, she said.

Further details of the Dunedin proposal would be released next month.

A festival calendar of events was also being designed for the region, with the aim of encouraging tourists to visit the wider area, she said.

Councils across the region were collaborating on the tournament as part of their "Spin it Wide" campaign, and met regularly to discuss a range of issues, such as waste minimisation.

"We want the area to be the must-see region," Ms Simes said.

In addition to the matches and events in the region, Forsyth Barr Stadium, or, as it will be known during the tournament, Otago Stadium, was likely to be a main focal point of the tournament, Ms Simes said.

Queenstown Lakes District Council Rugby World Cup relationship manager Karen Gemmell said the resort's fan zone would be at Earnslaw Park, where the semifinals and finals would probably be played live on a large screen.

Venture Southland community development and events group manager Rex Capil, of Invercargill, said the southern city had also lodged an application for a party zone.

Although details were to be confirmed, specific events would probably coincide with games in the city, and a big screen would be used for the semifinal and final.

- hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz

 

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