Work is well under way to upgrade the stadium for Dunedin’s six World Cup games next month.
New replay screens, including their software, have been upgraded — and used during the Highlanders season — as have the scoreboards, and the changing rooms had been redeveloped to be gender-neutral.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive Terry Davies said work was tracking well and would benefit the city for years to come.
"We’ve utilised the changing room upgrade, which probably the catalyst was Fifa," Davies said.
"That’s a legacy piece of work that’s going to be great for future sporting teams here."
The upgrades were not limited to the stadium — Tahuna Park, Logan Park No 6, the Caledonian and Memorial Park were also getting a makeover as training grounds — and added to the atmosphere as the countdown began.
"You can feel the buzz.
"We’re excited and we know we’ve got a history of delivering events well here, so I’m sure we’ll showcase Dunedin in a brilliant light around the world for the six matches we’ve got.
"We’re excited and of course Fifa are here in numbers now working with us to deliver it.
The stadium had a six-week "exclusion period" starting soon, when people could not access the venue in order for Fifa to prepare fully.
Staff also had a tight turn around to rejig the stadium following the final game on August 1 for the Bledisloe Cup rugby test four days later.
"It’s a pretty big role, so teams will be working around the clock post-Fifa match."
He hoped people throughout the region got behind the six games in Dunedin for the World Cup.
"It would be just lovely if people support what is going to be maybe a once-in-a-life time opportunity to get to an event of this scale."
