The Dunedin City Council has decided to close the Rugby World Cup fan zone in the Dunedin Town Hall after all, despite a previous announcement it would extend the event for the duration of the tournament.
The fan zone, operated by Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML), was to have remained open until the last Dunedin pool match.
However, the success of the venture, after about 2000 fans filled the Town Hall for the All Blacks v France match, led the DCC to announce it would extend the zone to include the semifinals and final.
But yesterday, the council said that with the focus of the tournament now in the North Island and international visitors heading north, the hall was not required.
"Unfortunately, there were a number of factors which affected the overall success of the fan zone, including the late night kick-offs," DVML chief executive David Davies said yesterday.
"There were occasions when we were full to the brim with people, but this support wasn't across the board. Two of the Octagon bars have had their licences extended for the semifinals and final, so we're confident there will be no shortage of space for those fans still wanting to go out and enjoy the atmosphere in town."
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull rejected the idea of a Rugby World Cup fan zone in the Octagon after discovering the council faced a $400,000 loss on running the cup matches in the new stadium.
There was no point in spending another $300,000 on a fan zone in the Octagon just to "gild the lily", he said.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup semifinals and final will be screened free to air.
