Cheat sheet: Why has a stand at Eden Park been knocked down?

Friday, 13 September 2024

Eden Park's Lower West Stand demolished

A large section of one of the main stands at Eden Park has been demolished.

It has been done to increase the capacity for concerts at the venue.

Eden Park is progressing with resource consent to double the number of concerts it hosts each year, from six to 12.

The Lower West Stand at Eden Park has been demolished.

It was built in the early 1990s, but has been knocked down to allow more people to attend concerts at the stadium.

How much of a difference will it make for concerts?

An extra 5000 to 10,000 people will be able to attend concerts at Eden Park, due to the removal of the Lower West Stand.

Depending on the stage configuration for the performer, the stadium’s capacity will increase by between 5000 and 10,000 spectators. This would take the total capacity to between 55,000 to 65,000 and with some further modification it could get close to 70,000.

“This first stage is an investment of around $2.5 million, with 90% or over 90% of the demolition being repurposed and reused as part of our commitment to sustainability, but also adaptive reuse,” Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner said.

What happens for All Blacks tests and other large sporting events?

This change removes around 1200 permanent seats. But it would be possible to have a standing rom area, temporary seating or a retractable stand.

How long will it take to get done?

It will be quick and everything will be sorted by the time Travis Scott performs at the stadium on October 31.

Eden Park is hoping to get permission hold 12 concerts each year, doubling their current amount of six per annum.

So does this mean Taylor Swift can play at Eden Park when she next does a world tour?

Good question, even though it ignores the point that Taylor Swift was unlikely to play in New Zealand on her last tour, regardless of what sort of stadium there was.

However, Sautner says these changes will make Eden Park more enticing for the really big artists to perform in Auckland.

“The introduction of this new area increases the capacity, and it does provide an opportunity for us to compete with a number of the stadiums on the east coast of Australia,” he said.

“So we’re seeing with Travis Scott our capacity is the same, or, if not higher, than a number of the venues in Australia.”

Aren’t they looking to double the number of concerts at Eden to 12 a year? How’s that going?

Around 1200 seats have been removed from Eden Park by knocking down the Lower West Stand.

The public feedback for the resource consent application has closed and Sautner says they were overjoyed with the response.

“We were delighted to have over 94% support from submissions,” Sautner said.

“Over 2000 submissions were made. There’s no question that the community supports increased utilisation of Eden Park. The increased utilisation of Eden Park is in line with the Government's strategy of a greater utilisation of existing infrastructure.

“So we look forward to our consenting process concluding and hopefully be in a situation to secure 12 shows, given the job creation and economic benefits arising.”

The hearing for the resource consent application will begin on October 16 at Auckland Town Hall.

How does this fit in with the bigger plan for an Eden Park 2.1?

Eden Park is carrying out a feasibility study for Auckland Council about a significantly upgraded stadium, including a retractable roof. The other potential venue for a new Stadium is Te Tōangaroa/Quay Park, which is also carrying out a feasibility study at the request of the Council’s working group.

These studies are expected to be completed by February and the working group will then decide which bid will move forward.

However, this change to the West Stand at Eden Park fits in with the 2.1 project.