World First at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Otago
Dunedin’s new stadium planned for completion in August 2011 will be New Zealand's largest indoor arena and the second largest in the southern hemisphere after Melbourne’s Telstra Stadium. The Government has contributed $15 million towards the stadium, named Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza Dunedin
The Otago Stadium will provide an unbeatable
atmosphere as the country’s only fully enclosed, natural turf stadium. The
pitch itself is something special, being the first time worldwide that natural
grass has been grown under a fixed roof. The
fixed, transparent ETFE roof will keep the temperature inside the Stadium
between 3-4 degrees warmer in summer and 2-3 degrees warmer in winter, ensuring
the experience for spectators, players and performers. This world-class facility will
be able to host a range of sporting, entertainment and cultural events -
whatever the weather.
The North and South stands stands will have a permanent seating
capacity of approximately 20,000 spectators of which 18,000 will be seated on
Effuzi’s ‘Albany’ Arena stadium chairs.
The Albany seat colours were selected to ensure the maximum reflection
of light to enhance the natural turf growth whilst providing favourable results
for television media regardless of spectator numbers.