Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium is getting noticed overseas, with one Australian politician, at least, indicating he plans to organise a Dunedin visit to pick up some stadium ideas to take home.
But Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive David Davies yesterday said while that was good news, it was not unusual for a new facility like the stadium to attract interest, and he expected plenty of visitors in future to show interest in the stadium.
The Canberra Times this week reported the Australian Capital Territory Government was considering a radical Canberra Stadium revamp which would end the days of footy fans braving the winter freeze to watch the Canberra Raiders rugby league team, or the Brumbies rugby side.
It said the Government was looking at plans to put a clear roof on top of the stadium.
ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr was canvassing ideas and options, with modelling a redevelopment on the Forsyth Barr Stadium high on the priority list.
Barr told The Canberra Times he wanted the new venue to protect fans from cold winter nights.
"We will have to go and have a look at the facility being built in Dunedin," Barr told the newspaper.
"It's a boutique stadium and Dunedin has a similar climate to Canberra."
Davies said yesterday he was aware of the discussion.
A DVML manager had "bumped into two people involved in this project" at a venues management conference in May.
"They had questions," Davies said.
DVML had told them it was happy to offer tours of the stadium, but the matter had not yet gone further.
Davies agreed it was a good reflection on the facility, and likened it to the sort of support given to Dunedin stadium builders by the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
He expected Dunedin would be doing the same for others interested in new stadium work.
"We shouldn't be unhappy they are looking at it," Davies said.
