BESIX Watpac, the lead contractor for the Te Kaha stadium project in Christchurch, New Zealand, has announced that construction has reached the halfway point as the venue remains on track for opening in 2026.
Once complete, the project will deliver a fully covered 30,000-seat venue, with capacity to accommodate 36,000 fans for large concerts and events.
The stadium, which will be capable of hosting All Blacks matches, is seeking to fill the void left by Lancaster Park, which was forced to close after being damaged beyond repair following a 2011 earthquake in Christchurch.
Work commenced on the project in July 2022 after Christchurch City Council ratified a new budget of NZ$683m (£328m/€390m/$418m). Project leaders announced in April that the stadium remained within budget and on track to open in April 2026, and the halfway point of construction has now been reached.
BESIX Watpac project director Adrian Jones said: “We are very proud of the progress made and it’s exciting to see this landmark project for the people of Christchurch continue to take shape. The project is in such a good position today due to the strong relationship we have with Christchurch City Council and our subcontractors. The collaborative approach adopted at the very start of the project has continued through delivery.”
Recent works on the stadium have included installation of the west stand roof. The west stand will accommodate function spaces, player facilities, corporate boxes, and coaches’ and media facilities.
The steel framing in the northeast stand has also been completed, and the installation of concrete seating in this area is nearing completion. BESIX Watpac has installed a site camera near its office to capture images of the construction site every five minutes.
In November, it was announced that the Auckland-based New Zealand Warriors rugby league team would play an annual game in Christchurch from 2024, with the 2026 fixture to be played at Te Kaha.
Read our October 2023 interview with Kent Summerfield, project director of delivery at Te Kaha, here.
