Surely, more Christchurch ratepayers deserve a peek inside the stadium

Friday, 28 March 2025

OPINION: The release of this year's Open Christchurch programme contained a huge surprise - a chance to take a tour of the under-construction stadium.

But there's a catch; only about 20 people can take the tour.

Unsurprisingly, more than 1000 people have already signed up for a ballot to be drawn on April 22. (At the time of writing, it is close to 1400 people.)

It is a shame the stadium has not made it possible for rolling tours to take place all weekend.

Surely, more of the ratepayers who are funding it deserve a peek inside?

Te Pūtahi director Jessica Halliday acknowledged getting a sneak peek of the stadium was “a really limited opportunity”, but was thrilled Christchurch City Council agreed to make it part of this year’s festival.

Te Kaha project director Kent Summerfield said opportunities for larger numbers to tour the stadium would become available once construction finished and the facility was handed over to the operators Venues Ōtautahi.

Meanwhile, construction on the stadium appears to be making good progress despite legal action being taken by some subbies and the still unresolved question of whether Selwyn and Waimakariri ratepayers should contribute to its costs.

Some have even suggested a ticket levy for out-of-towners.

The roofed stadium is due to open in April 2026 at a total cost of $683 million, of which $200m has come from central government. Ratepayers’ contributions, spread over 30 years, will peak at an average of $4 a week this decade.

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