AMI stadium redevelopment complete!

[DH]

I went to the open day on Saturday. It really looks awesome! I took some photos, but found online someone took better ones. Here they are:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=50657211&postcount=472

The stand is huge, and the viewing points are impressive. Its quite funny now to see all the stands that I remember as a youngster gone. Its actually very exciting. It now looks like a very modern ground.

I love the fact that its also got about 38,000 permanent, with another 7,000 able to be seated on the drag out seats they have that will go infront of both stands on the side. (to make the ground more rectangular).

From the high points of the stand, there is still an obvious oval for 20/20 & one dayers.

Next thing is the redevelopment of a portion of Hagley Park into a test cricket ground!

cheers
DH

[DH]

Another couple of great shots here, including a 360 pano

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=50687197&postcount=475

Reckon it looks fab!

[JJ]

Thanks for the pics DH. So the total capacity is going to be approx 45k. Is that correct?
We are planning on being there next year for the RWC. Only problem is every time I go over seas to the RWC the bloody Boks win. The saffas at work are considering giving me a sponsor trip! Got a feeling it won't be happening this time. Must say it looks like an excellent venue - but crikey its a bit small - are they playing a semi there or are all of the finals in the north? Think we'll have to get in early to get a seat or will it have an increased capacity for RWC?
                                                          jj

[DH]

Not sure JJ. Permanent setting is defintely about 38k. For the World Cup capacity is going to be 45k. Normally for big games, temporary pull-out seats appears currently in front of  the Paul Kelly stands (I think about 2-3 levels of seating). I would imagine the same thing will happen in front of the Deans stand to give the field a more rectangular look (remember it is an oval). These seats are not normally included as the capacity. So the 7000 extra seats (45 - 38) I reckon are those, and maybe some temporay stands filling in the gaps between existing stands

cheers
DH

[Geeves]

I have never been a fan of the round stadiums for rugby.  But I did enjoy the game there with the rugbyheads. 

By the way are they keeping the pig spits to help warm the temperature?