Signs of progress made on mega stadium

Four 5m tall columns were boxed and filled with concrete last week in the south-west corner of the Te Kaha construction site. Then after being left to cure for three days the formwork boxes were removed resulting in four concrete columns emerging vertically from the ground. This will be the first of many to be placed around the area.  

Around 75 per cent of the southern stand and half of the western stand substructures have been completed according to Chief Executive David Kennedy. He hopes the public will see the progress being made on the superstructure.  

“From this point on, people are going to see real tangible progress happening on-site as the contractors begin the vertical construction."

Apart from columns now being regularly constructed, work on ground floors and walls is set to begin this week moving the construction into its next phase. Kennedy said substructure works will continue for the next couple of months. While ground improvement work was completed two weeks ahead of schedule, work is still continuing on the substructure in the north and east section of the site.

Kennedy says over the past eight months a huge amount of work has been achieved to improve the land. Seventeen major concrete pours were done for the arena’s foundations, but from this point on people are expected to see Te Kaha rise above the hoardings around the site. It's hoped that the progress made is a positive sign for the public as the months drag on. 

The stadium had been a centre of debate prior to construction beginning eight months ago. With budget issues, it had left many questioning whether it was worth the time and money. However, as construction continues it is hoped that the project will be completed and open on time. 

Rumours about the project's budget being blown have circulated around the community. City mayor Phil Mauger assured the public in a community meeting that the project is both on schedule and most definitely not going over budget. Mauger believes the stadium will be an asset to the city.  

The multi-million dollar superstructure is expected to be completed by April 2026.