But the building of the new stadium now poses questions about the future of Carisbrook and the impact on South Dunedin.
Dunedin South MP Clare Curran has urged Dunedin people to "move on beyond the stadium debate and have their voices heard on other priorities for our city''.
Alongside the important issues of housing, employment and minimising the effects of the recession, Ms Curran believes a community vision is needed for South Dunedin and Caversham. She is also eager to foster discussion on the future of Carisbrook.
"Carisbrook has been a part of the fabric of Dunedin for such a long time . . . what happens to it is a matter for the whole community,'' she said.
As part of that process, Ms Curran plans to support the embryonic ‘‘South Dunedin Voice'' group to gather community input and develop a community vision.
She hoped to call another meeting in the near future and is keen to hear from people who would like to be involved.
Suggestions for Carisbrook gathered last year ranged from retaining the space for sports through to full redevelopment for industry.
Contacted by The Star this week, acting South Dunedin Retail Association president Lindsay Campbell said the organisation had not specifically considered Carisbrook and had more pressing concerns.
The association's committee was scheduled to make a presentation to Dunedin City councillors next Monday night, as part of the hearings process for the Draft Long Term Council Community Plan, and would focus on the issues of parking and traffic flows, a library for South Dunedin, beautification of the area and street amenities.
"We are quite hopeful of being able to make improvements [in South Dunedin] without it costing a lot,'' Mr Campbell said.
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin said he had received positive feedback on the Otago Stadium decision from people throughout Dunedin but that it was too soon to say what impact relocating the city's main stadium would have on South Dunedin.
It was too early to talk in public about the future of the Carisbrook site, he said.
"Councillors, in the full process of time, need to tease out and discuss the possibilities.''
Contacted by The Star yesterday, South Dunedin councillors Bill Acklin, Neil Collins and Dave Cull also felt that it was too early yet to express opinions on Carisbrook. Cr John Bezett could not be contacted.
Cr Cull said it was important that ideas on the future of South Dunedin came from within the community.
