Invercargill will miss out on several major sporting and entertainment events as delays push back the planned opening of Stadium Southland.
The stadium collapsed in a heavy snowstorm in September 2010 and had planned to reopen in July this year.
But Stadium Southland general manager Nigel Skelt said on Wednesday the delay is caused by work to strengthen part of the core block - which did not collapse - but is only 30% of the building code.
Mr Skelt said netball matches, including a trans-Tasman test, and several music events could not be held in Invercargill.
He said the delays are frustrating, but safety is the number one priority.
The cost of the strengthening work will be over $1 million.
The rebuild is short of about $2 million of funding and the trust which manages the venue is still negotiating with its insurance company about how much will be paid out for the reconstruction.
It is hoped the stadium will open in October this year.
