Stadium

Horses, clowns and heavy machinery were let loose as Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin was transformed into an indoor rodeo arena for the first time yesterday.

Dunedin could face multimillion-dollar competition from New Zealand's largest cities if it opts for a new events fund to lure more big acts to Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Dunedin City Council staff have some reading to do after a late rush of public suggestions on ways to make the most of Forsyth Barr Stadium.

More than 400 people have had their say on the future use of Forsyth Barr Stadium as a deadline for public input approaches.

There were tackles, kicks, tries and goals on the Forsyth Barr Stadium pitch yesterday afternoon, but not a paid athlete in sight.

Business owners in Dunedin have been floored by the idea of a new targeted rate for the hospitality sector to help rescue Forsyth Barr Stadium from its financial hole.

Ratepayers could be asked to reach into their pockets again, or the city's bars and restaurants could be slapped with a new targeted rate, as the Dunedin City Council grapples with a $3.2 million loss from Forsyth Barr Stadium.

A worse-than-expected $3.2 million loss recorded by the company running Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium did not rate a mention at this week's Dunedin City Council meeting.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has expressed concern at the decision to award an audiovisual contract for work inside the Forsyth Barr Stadium to a new, out-of-town company linked to a former Australian bankrupt.

The Dunedin City Council is asking the public for ideas as it searches for ways to make the most of Forsyth Barr Stadium.