The Deans Stand opened at (Lancaster Park's) AMI Stadium in Christchurch, NZ.
The country's first big-city stadium re-development opened its doors to the public today.
The new Deans Stand at Christchurch's AMI Stadium lifts its permanent capacity to 38,500.
The challenge now is to get paying crowds back through the gates.
Despite the damp weather, thousands of fans turned up to check out the newly-finished stadium today.
“Oh I think it's perfect, really is, it's wonderful,” said one fan.
“I just hope that the people come along and support the boys.”
It was officially reopened this week by John Key and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.
It's the first big stadium project completed for the Rugby World Cup.
Work is well underway in Auckland on Eden Park's upgrade, while the new covered stadium in Dunedin is due to be completed just before the world cup.
The major upgrade in Christchurch is the new Deans Stand.
Its 32 metre-long roof aimed at enticing crowds back to the stadium for both music and sporting events.
“The turnout today's a good indication of where everyone's at, so it's good to let everyone on the field and have a look around at what the new facilities are like,” said Crusader’s flanker George Whitelock.
Canterbury rugby needs fans to return, the organisation lost $800,000 for the year, as game attendances and season ticket numbers crashed.
Chief executive Hamish Riach is confident this $60 million upgrade will do the trick.
“We've had a construction site here for two years, so we've been playing rugby in a stadium that hasn't been like this. Now it's done, it's back, and it'll make a difference alright,” he said.
There's a busy schedule ahead for the redeveloped stadium – next weekend it hosts the Phoenix, before a Black Caps; one-dayer and the Crusaders' opening game against the Highlanders in mid-February.
Acknowledgements: TV3 News
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