Building begins on NZ's biggest grandstand

Work starts tomorrow (Saturday 28 August) on the construction of the main grandstand for the 2010 World Rowing Championships. At just under 10,000 seats, this will be the biggest temporary grandstand ever built in New Zealand.

The grandstand will stretch 142 metres down the Mighty River Domain Embankment and provide covered seating for 6000 spectators and open seating for another 4000. It will take approximately six weeks to build.

The topography of the Embankment and safety requirements posed several design challenges. The grandstand goes over a boat ramp area and, at that point, will be more than 25 metres high. The canopy, which covers the back two thirds of the grandstand, was required to be strong enough to withstand 100 knot winds. The solution has been the innovative use of marquee materials, secured by 112 tons of anchors.

The grandstand was designed by Tonkin & Taylor, New Zealand’s leading engineers, and the canopy will be provided by Carlton Party Hire of Auckland. The grandstand is being constructed by Seating Systems.

“This is another first for NZ,” said CEO Tom Mayo. “Thanks to the creative input from a number of top NZ professionals, we are creating the biggest and best temporary grandstand ever built in this country.”