Sports history is turning to rubble as the final stage in the demolition of Carisbrook begins.
Workers in mechanical excavators, from Christchurch-based company Southern Demolition, rumbled on to the site yesterday to begin delivering the coup de grace to the old ground's concrete and steel remains.
By late yesterday, the Railway Stand's rows of concrete - already devoid of plastic seats - were being smashed into piles of rubble and twisted steel. The work is expected to be completed by Christmas.
The stadium complex was bought by Calder Stewart for $3.3 million earlier this year, but no details on its redevelopment have been released. The company's development director, Alan Stewart, could not be contacted yesterday, and other staff did not return calls.
