Aucklands new look Eden Park, which has just
undergone a three-year, multi-million dollar upgrade for the
Rugby World Cup 2011, will open its gates on 10 October 2010
(10-10-10).
The special open day will allow members of the
public to inspect the redevelopment first-hand and get a
behind-the-scenes look at what will be New Zealands main venue
for the Rugby World Cup next year.
Seating capacity has
been increased to 60,000 and as well as the finals, the stadium
will host the RWC opening and closing ceremonies.
Prime
Minister John Key will officially open the revamped stadium as
part of the Sunday, 10 October open day and all proceeds from the
gold-coin donation entry fee will go to the Christchurch
Earthquake fund.
On the Open Day, the public will have access to
players changing rooms, coaches boxes, the main control room and
the media centre - as well as the new stands and internal
concourse.
Eden Park Upgrade
The major upgrade of
Eden Park has included a new six-level, 21,500-seat South Stand, a
new three-tier east stand and an increased area of covered
seating.
An internal concourse has been developed to
improve crowd flow and there have been extensive improvements to
food and beverage outlets, toilets, corporate areas, team and
media facilities.
Changes to Eden Park have also included new goal posts and the old
ones have been put up for auction to help raise money for
Christchurch earthquake victims.
The famous 18-metre steel posts, which weigh
700kgs each, are now
listed on Trade Me. They have seen plenty of action in the past 20
years - including the first ever Rugby World Cup held at Eden Park
in 1987.
"If these
goalposts could talk, they'd certainly tell a great story," said
David Kennedy, Eden Park Trust Chief Executive. "From being
there during Michael Jones' diving try in the '87 World Cup final,
to the drama and controversy of the final Test against the
Springboks in 1981, the goalposts have stood through some
momentous events for Eden Park."
The Trade Me auction is due to close at 20:00 on Sunday,
3
October 2010.
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