Thursday 25 November 2010
Our Game on 2012 quest continues with significant progress made in recent weeks.
The project timetable has now been framed up and we expect to call for tenders in the New Year with the aim of contractors on site in March 2011.
The technical component of the overall project team, which features engineer Alan Reay, of Alan Reay Consultants, Jonathan Algie, of Pedersen Read, Darrin Millar, of Holmes Fire and Safety, Simon Taylor, of Aurecon, architect John McCulloch, Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust chairman Acton Smith and myself, met on Tuesday.
With the purpose of getting the structural part of the new stadium to a semi-finalised state, aspects such as fire, heating and lighting were assessed to ensure they were compatible with the initial design.
It was a very informative meeting and steady progress has been made, which was outlined to members of the SILCCT at a meeting the following day.
Denis Woods and John McDowall also tabled their report following extensive community consultation, with a number of sporting groups canvassed to gauge their operational requirements from 2012.
Considering the advances in technology since Stadium Southland was built over a decade ago, the expectations of sporting codes have moved and I’m sure some interesting debate around playing surfaces, heating and the comfort of spectator seating is looming in the near future.
The recurring theme which emerged from the groups consulted was the definite need for additional seating of a permanent nature to a capacity of 4000 – and the quality of those seats.
On the operational front, Stadium Southland staff are proving to be a considerable asset to the community with many requests for their services coming in for various projects.
Our events programme continues to run in a reduced but successful capacity. Steel memberships have been snapped up once again by their loyal legion of fans and Sharks tickets will be on sale in the near future.
Tickets to the ILT Festival of Speed cycling extravaganza are also selling strongly, along with our seasonal showcase Stadium Southland’s ILT Christmas at the Civic.
Playtime Promotions, in association with Stadium Southland, are excited to bring Gerry and the Pacemakers and Herman’s Hermits to the Deep South in March, with the internationally - acclaimed show transferred to the Civic Theatre.
We’re even expecting Santa to make an early delivery – our new wooden court is scheduled to arrive from Singapore in the next couple of weeks. Then it really will be Game On!
Cheers,
Nigel Skelt
Stadium Southland
Game On 2012
