Eden Park is currently Auckland’s largest stadium, but it is old and in need of constant upgrades and maintenance estimated to cost $250 million over the next 15 years, assuming work remains on budget.
These ongoing costs, along with accessibility, are the main factors driving another push to build a new stadium in Auckland.
Previous plans for a downtown stadium on Auckland’s waterfront were brought undone by height restrictions on buildings to avoid blocking sightlines of the harbour.
While it sounds outlandish, there have been other large-scale projects built below water level, and in engineering terms, building the caisson won’t be much different from building a really big swimming pool, except you’re trying to keep the water out rather than in.
Partner at BuroHappold Engineering, Matthew Birchall said of the design concept, “There is a real potential with this solution to create a modern colosseum of sport and entertainment that would enable a unique experience for the spectators and players alike, and which could generate a truly unique atmosphere.
“We would love to work with the stakeholders in Auckland to realise a new stadium development that would be a catalyst for the city’s ongoing social and economic development. The city’s and the professional sports clubs needs could work very well together – creating an active and iconic venue that inspires a generation.”
The design itself comes in several variations. No roof, with roof, one with cruise ship terminals on either side and a final design built inland.
There’s still a lot of bureaucracy to go through, but if it comes into being, it will certainly be iconic. Having that kind of a stadium as a venue featured in the A-League would generate plenty of attention.
Whether that’s enough of a reason for FFA to consider giving Auckland an A-League team I don’t know. But at least it looks good.
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What do you think, could an iconic stadium like ‘The Crater’ help Auckland’s chances of having an A-League team?