Canberra seeks to copy stadium

Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium has gained ultimate approval from overseas, with Canberra set to copy the design for its new stadium.

The move follows interest in the design from the Australian Capital Territory last year.

Despite the apparently good news, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive David Davies did not return calls on the issue yesterday.

Because of that it was unclear if there would be any benefit from intellectual property.

Mr Davies would only say, through DVML's new communications contractor, a representative from Canberra was in Dunedin last week to visit the stadium.

In June last year, the Canberra Times reported the Australian Capital Territory government was considering a revamp of Canberra Stadium that would end the days of football fans braving the winter freeze to watch the Canberra Raiders rugby league team, or the local rugby side.

It said the government was looking at plans to put a clear roof on top of the stadium, and ACT minister for tourism, sport and recreation Andrew Barr was canvassing ideas and options. Modelling a redevelopment on the Forsyth Barr Stadium was high on the priority list.

Mr Davies said at the time a DVML manager had met people involved in the project at a venues management conference, and had offered tours of the stadium.

Now it has emerged Canberra will have a new stadium with a roof by the end of the decade.

The Canberra Times has reported the ACT government has started working with architects to design a replacement for Canberra Stadium, with the University of Canberra emerging as a potential location.

It said Mr Barr was in New Zealand with Territory Venues general manager Neale Guthrie last week on a fact-finding mission at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Mr Barr said the capital could benefit from copying the design for a multisport and multipurpose venue with a roof.

He was keen to start a "stadium fund" for the planning and building process, which was expected to be complete in 2018 or 2019.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz

 

 

 

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