Project leaders for Te Kaha have given an update on the construction of the new multi-use stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand exactly two years ahead of its scheduled opening.
The NZ$683m (£329m/€379m/$404m) venue remains within budget and on track to open in April 2026. Once inaugurated, the 25,000-seat stadium will be able to attract All Blacks matches, international music concerts and other major events back to Christchurch following the closure of Lancaster Park more than a decade ago.
In an update, project director Kent Summerfield said concrete seating plats now stretch about halfway around the east stand.
A quarter of the radial truss roof supports have now been installed, with more being added over the coming months, in preparation for the roof work beginning in the coming months.
Summerfield added: “A lot of progress is also being made within the four-storey west stand, which houses player facilities, a function space, corporate boxes, coaches’ and media facilities. The framing and glass frontage are being installed in the function space, along with a range of services.”
Work on the roof to begin this year
Other work to be carried out during the next two months includes the installation of structural steel to the northwestern stand bowl and radial roof column trusses. Roof cantilevers will begin to be installed ahead of the roof steel erection that spans across the field of play. Internal fit-out works will progress to all stands, while concrete seating plats will be installed progressively to the east stand and also to the west stand.
Summerfield added: “The next six months of the Te Kaha project will see work continue on the superstructure bowl, and work begin on the first elements for the roof.”
Once complete, the stadium will have 25,000 permanent seats, with space in the northern stand to hold a further 5,000 temporary seats and a maximum capacity of 36,000 in full concert mode.
Work on the stadium commenced in 2022 and the lead contractor of the project, BESIX Watpac, installed a site camera near its office to capture images of the precinct every five minutes.
