Repair work at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, which suffered damage during an earthquake in New Zealand earlier this month, is on track, with the facility expected to be open in time for a music concert next week.
The damage led to the postponement of the A-League football match between Wellington Phoenix and Australian outfit Melbourne Victory last weekend.
Football Federation Australia, which runs the A-League, made the decision after receiving advice from stadium operators and authorities in Wellington, whilst consulting with both clubs.
The stadium’s concourse and seating bowl area were hit during the earthquake, with the overall damage being superficial and not structural. Burst water pipes and broken windows have already been fixed.
Country music stars Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood are due to perform at the stadium on December 3, by which point repair work is expected to be finished.
“The building’s moved a lot, which it is designed to do, but with that movement you get some cracking and concrete chippings, and that’s been the main focus this week – making sure these are all cleaned out and repaired,” stadium chief executive Shane Harmon said, according to the Newstalk ZB website.
“And barring, touch wood, no further major incidents between now and then we’re certainly on track to be back for that concert.”
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