The first 63-tonne roof truss section of Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility has been installed today.
Ōtākaro Ltd chief executive John Bridgman said the 43m-long roof truss section "weighs the same as 10 African elephants and is one of five sections which will span the facility’s competition pool".
It was lifted into place on Wednesday morning.
"It takes two cranes working in tandem to manoeuvre some of these roof sections into place, within a tolerance of a few millimetres.
"The weather conditions need to be near perfect to move what is close to a steel sail, as safety is a top priority."
He said the roof over the aquatics side of the facility had to be large enough to cover 11 pools and spas.
"With the roof trusses already in place for the neighbouring show court, you can now see why this is going to be one of the most significant sporting venues in the country."
The steel installation will continue along Antigua St into the new year, along with similar work around the six community courts, which extend towards Moorhouse Avenue.
Construction of the Metro Sports Facility is expected to be completed towards the end of 2022.
