Storm damage to Auckland's iconic Western Springs stadium will cost millions to repair and the outdoor concert venue will be closed until at least early next year while serious remediation work is undertaken.
A closer inspection of the home of speedway, the Ponsonby Rugby Club and many a mosh pit, has found serious and complex damage to the venue after the Auckland Anniversary weekend storm.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited stadium director James Parkinson told Checkpoint there were a range of different issues, one relating to the power supply on site.
Separately, there had been "significant damage" to a concrete block wall on the top side, by Old Mill Road, he said.
"That is under threat of collapse with the movement of that wall, so that represents a significant risk to the venue and anyone in the venue."
There were also various areas of ground movement, up on the embankment and through the carpark area at the bottom of the site, he said.
"We're still very committed to a remediation plan, we do not yet have that fully costed but the key works are certainly covered by insurance and our focus is on remediating this site so we can get the use of the stadium back."
When asked if the cost would be in the millions, Parkinson replied: "Definitely millions".
There would also be a significant loss of revenue "at a time when we can least afford it with the budget pressures that we're facing".
Ponsonby Rugby Club were largely operating outside of the venue this season, at Cox's Bay reserve, and discussions continued with the speedway, he said.
There would be a "very real impact on speedway this summer".
Parkinson said one positive was that the outer fields were not impacted.
No stadium concert booking were being taken for the beginning of 2024, he said.
The were a number of properties at the top of the stadium that were yellow stickered by council, relating to ground movement occurring on their side of the wall, he said.
