November 23, 2009

Tell us we misheard it…

UPDATED

ODT’s Barry Stewart, on Channel 9 News, highlighted stories appearing in tomorrow’s newspaper. First mention before we fainted was… No, we really must have misheard it:

Dunedin City Council has voted to [defer?????!!!!!] work on the second stage of the Tahuna Wastewater Treatment Plant.

We ran the DVD back, it did sound like THAT word.
WHY. It can’t be true.

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### ODT Online Tue, 24 Nov 2009
DCC may defer Tahuna work
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council looks set to delay part of the planned $74.3 million stage two upgrade to the Tahuna wastewater treatment plant. Council staff have recommended aspects of the plant’s upgrade associated with the processing of solid materials be deferred for two years, while wastewater treatment upgrades proceed as planned.
Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 23, 2009

High Street Cable Car a possibility

This story appeared under the grainy headline “Rocky road for cable cars” on page one of Otago Daily Times print and digital editions.

### ODT Online Mon, 23 Nov 2009
Stuart St cable car plan rejected
By Chris Morris
A plan to have cable cars rolling through the centre of Dunedin for the first time in more than 50 years has been rejected in a report by Dunedin City Council staff.

However, a second plan – for cable cars to run from the Exchange up High St – remains a possibility. The Dunedin Cable Car Trust was developing plans for a 1.5km cable car route between the Exchange and the Mornington shopping centre.

Read more

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Report – EDC – 24/11/2009 (PDF, 2.1 mb, new window)
Cable Car Proposals

Dunedin Cable Car Trust
Trustees: Bill Campbell, Tony Chance, Phil Cole, Neville Jemmett, Don Myers and Sue Russell.
Email: dcctrust@gmail.com

Related posts and comments:
19.10.09 Cable Car Meeting @Dunedin
7.9.09 Various comments at Super ward at Dunedin?
25.7.09 Richard at Dunedin City Forum held
16.6.09 David at NSC ruckus: Mr Hide and council core services
3.4.09 David at “People: work very hard NOW”
1.4.09 David and Elizabeth at In smooth pond

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 22, 2009

Toyo Ito’s solar powered stadium, Taiwan

This will be old news to some readers, but let’s mark this one again for posterity – compared to how we do things in Dunedin.

“. . . the impressive roof construction that is simultaneously a solar power station.”

### www.archiCentral.com 20 May 09
Construction Is finished For Toyo Ito’s Solar Powered Stadium

Construction is finished for Japanese architect Toyo Ito’s solar powered stadium in Taiwan. The stadium’s roof is covered by 8,844 solar panels. The stadium is located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and it was built to coincide with the opening of the World Games [in July].

The ‘World Games Stadium’ holds 55,000 spectators and it cost $150 million to build. The stadium will hold the record for largest solar-powered stadium in the world with its 14,155m2 roof. It could potentially generate 1.14 Gigawatt hours of electricity every year, enough to power up to 80% of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Read more

highflyerai9 10 April 2008

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 21, 2009

3rd Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference

### ODT Online Sat, 21 Nov 2009
Focus on glories of past
By John Gibb
Some of the glories of Dunedin’s engineering heritage will be highlighted at a transtasman conference being hosted in the city this weekend.
Among engineering treasures some of the 120 people attending the engineering heritage conference will be able to examine are recently discovered plans of the city’s Mornington cable car system, which began operating in 1883.

Engineering heritage-related displays are being staged at the Hocken Library, the Otago Settlers Museum, the Otago Museum and the National Archives Dunedin office. The recently-discovered Dunedin cable car plans are not on display at the Hocken but can be viewed on request.

Read more

3rd Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference

Related posts and comments:
18.11.09 Open Lecture by Sir Neil Cossons – “Preserving the genius of engineering”
19.10.09 Cable Car Meeting @Dunedin
24.9.09 Labour Weekend – Otago Central Vulcan & Steam Celebrations
7.9.09 Super ward at Dunedin?

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 21, 2009

Stadium: Key’s message to opponents…

### ODT Online Sat, 21 Nov 2009
Stadium funds: We’re not Indian-givers, says Key
By David Loughrey
Prime Minister John Key yesterday said the Government was unlikely to ask for its $15 million back if the Forsyth Barr Stadium is not finished in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Mr Key toured the stadium yesterday morning, and his message to opponents of the project was to look long term.

“In 10 years’ time if they go to the people of Dunedin and say they want to rip it up and park it in Invercargill, they will have a riot on their hands.”

Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 21, 2009

Social and Environmental Sustainability is a moral imperative.

Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder of Architecture for Humanity, a charitable organisation which promotes architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises.

At TEDGlobal U, Sinclair shows the unreported cost of real estate megaprojects gone bust: thousands of migrant construction labourers left stranded and penniless. To his fellow architects, he says there is only one ethical response:

TEDtalksDirector. Filmed February 2009; posted 13 November 2009.

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Cameron Sinclair on ‘Open-source architecture to house the world’:

TEDtalksDirector. 16 January 2007.
See other TED videos with Cameron Sinclair here.

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TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with the annual TED Conference in Long Beach, California, and the TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK, TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Program, the new TEDx community program, this year’s TEDIndia Conference and the annual TED Prize.

TED believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So TED is building a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

www.ted.com

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### www.designboom.com
Cameron Sinclair was born 1973, in London, UK. Sinclair was trained as an architect at the University of Westminster and at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. During his studies, he developed an interest in social, cultural and humanitarian design. His postgraduate thesis focused on providing shelter to New York’s homeless population through sustainable, transitional housing. After completing his studies, he moved to New York where he has worked as a designer and project architect. Sinclair has worked on projects in more than 20 countries including England, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the United States. designboom interviewed Sinclair on January 12, 2006.

Visit the Architecture for Humanity homepage.

Get the book:
Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises by Architecture for Humanity. Leilani Labong, at 7X7 Magazine, describes it as “a 336-page love letter to architects worldwide who provide pro-bono design services to communities that have survived war, government oppression and natural disasters. It’s also an antidote to apathy.”

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 20, 2009

PM news @Dunedin

### stuff.co.nz Last updated 13:51 20/11/2009
John Key books Dunedin Rugby World Cup seat
By Michelle Sutton – D Scene

Prime Minister John Key will take a pew in his Government’s $15 million seat at Dunedin’s stadium to watch a 2011 Rugby World Cup match. Key’s Government plans to make make full use of the $15m his Government gave Dunedin City Council for the city’s $198m roofed stadium. Today, after a tour of the stadium construction site, Key said he would watch a Rugby World Cup game from a seat at Dunedin’s stadium if it is finished on time.
Read more

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John Key spotted at the new St Clair Beach Resort, and at the Allied Press building. Thanks Twitterfolk.

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### ODT Online Fri, 20 Nov 2009
Key throws support behind stadium
Prime Minister John Key has thrown his support behind the controversial new Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Mr Key said the stadium would become “the new house of pain”, and a focal point for the community.
Read more + Slideshow

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 20, 2009

If the ball gets dropped

New use for stadium, ok – just a dream…

Hot off twitter feed.

### worldarchitecturenews.com Thursday 19 Nov 2009
Archway to the future: Rotterdam Market Hall, Rotterdam, Netherlands

First ground was broken this week (18 November) at the site of the new €175 million Rotterdam Market, representing the beginnings of a new hybrid social hub. The mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutleb and city councillor Hamit Karakus were on site to commence the construction of the monolithic 100,000 sq m public market and apartment building, designed by MVRDV.

Once complete in 2014 the market will be a giant cavernous archway in the centre of post-war Rotterdam, situated near the historic Laurens church. 228 apartments over ten upper levels will engulf the market void and overlook 100 stalls from interior windows. Each apartment will also feature a balcony on the exterior connecting the project with the community from all angles. The two lower levels of the archway will be used as public space introducing shops and restaurants. Together with an underground supermarket, 1200 parking spaces and 102 of the apartments developed as rental properties, the project is expressed as a social integration in the centre of Rotterdam.
Read more + photos

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MVRDVrotterdam 15 May 2009. Animation by Wieland & Gouwens.

Visit www.mvrdv.nl for more information about the complex.
You can also follow MVRDV on Twitter and Facebook : “MVRDV Rotterdam”.



사진 273 Originally uploaded by _mido

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 20, 2009

University building at stadium – update

### ODT Online Fri, 20 Nov 2009
University scales back plan
By Allison Rudd
In a statement, property services director Barry MacKay said details of the design and budget for the project would not be released until they were approved by the university council and that had not yet happened. However, plans made public last year for an L-shaped building of about 13,400sq m had now been replaced with a rectangular building plan of about 10,000sq m, he said.
Read more

Related post:
10.11.09 University building at stadium

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 20, 2009

Interesting. SH88 realignment.

### ODT Online Fri, 20 Nov 2009
Price stalls SH88 land sale
By Chris Morris
The Dunedin City Council is still locked in talks with Scenic Circles Hotel chairman Earl Hagaman over land needed for the realignment of State Highway 88 past the Forsyth Barr Stadium, just months before construction is to begin.

Council project engineer Evan Matheson said, when contacted, the realignment was expected to cost about $10 million, offset by a confirmed 65% subsidy from the New Zealand Transport Agency. That meant the council’s share would be $3.5 million, while NZTA paid $6.5 million but would take control of the road once completed, he said.

Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 19, 2009

New mid-sized theatre sidestepped, again

### ODT Online Thu, 19 Nov 2009
Editorial: A stage too far
Timing, it seems, is as crucial to important decisions by the Dunedin City Council as it is to government on a larger scale. There will be a lot of speculation in the city about whether the chances for a new purpose-built mid-sized theatre would have been improved had the council not first committed so much of its new funding to the roofed stadium and the very substantial redevelopment of the town hall and Glenroy.
Read more

Related post and comments:
From the log books of a twenty-year distress

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 19, 2009

Logan Park Redevelopment: Compromise for Old Art Gallery

### ODT Online Thu, 19 Nov 2009
Art gallery demolition on agenda
By David Loughrey
Demolition of part of the former art gallery at Logan Park appears to be getting closer, as behind-closed-doors negotiations reach their conclusion. The Otago Daily Times understands the Dunedin City Council is planning partial demolition of the former art gallery, with bays at the end of the building by the University Oval to go.
Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 18, 2009

Open Lecture by Sir Neil Cossons – “Preserving the genius of engineering”

“Without the creative genius of engineers life for most of us would be less worthwhile.” In this lecture Sir Neil Cossons considers how the engineering record of achievement is being preserved throughout the world as part of tomorrow’s heritage and as a testament to engineers and engineering. This record is to be cherished as an inspiration for the future.

- Sir Neil Cossons is the former chair of English Heritage, an internationally renowned advisor on heritage policy and management, and a patron of the Dunedin Gasworks Museum.

ALSO

A celebration for the recipients of the -
David Cox Memorial Award 2009
“To recognise and encourage excellence on the restoration, conservation and continued use of historic buildings and structures in Otago”

The awards will be presented prior to the lecture. All welcome.

WHEN – Monday 23 November 2009
WHERE – Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum
WHAT TIME – 7:00 pm

This is an Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference Event in conjunction with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

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“The gasworks is part of Dunedin’s and the whole world’s heritage. It tells part of the global story – and the whole of the rest of the global story has gone.”

### Channel 9 News November 18, 2009 – 5:48pm
Dunedin Gasworks Museum seen as historically significant as Stonehenge
One of Dunedin’s newest museums was visited today by one of its Patrons, who says it’s an example of our city leading the world. Sir Neil Cossons is the former Chair of English Heritage, and a proud current Patron of the Dunedin Gasworks Museum, which he sees as being as historically significant as Stonehenge or The Pyramids.
Video

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Dunedin became home to one of the most exceptionally preserved gasworks museums in the world, when the Engine House Dunedin Gasworks Museum opened on 3 February 2001. The museum exhibits unique collections of working gas and steam technology. The Dunedin Gasworks was New Zealand’s first when it opened in 1863 and the last when it ceased production in 1987. At the peak of its production in the 1970s over 18,000 customers received coal gas through an intricate system of underground mains extending throughout the city and suburbs.
Read more

Dunedin Gasworks Museum
20 Braemar St, South Dunedin
Organisation: Dunedin Gasworks Museum Trust (03) 455 5063
Open first and third Sundays of each month, 12 noon – 4:00 pm
Light admission charges apply to non members.

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 17, 2009

Stadium: CE has to make the venue work

UPDATED

### ODT Online Tue, 17 Nov 2009
Stadium chief executive starts work
By Chris Morris
The new head of the Forsyth Barr Stadium has started work in Dunedin. Welshman David Davies had his first day in the office yesterday, beginning his new role as chief executive of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) with back-to-back meetings after arriving in New Zealand on Friday.

Mr Davies would initially be a council employee, until transferring to the DVML’s books once the stadium was completed in 2011.

Read more

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### ODT Online Wed, 18 Nov 2009
Stadium chief goes to work
By Sarah Harvey
He took the job knowing it came with its fair share of criticism. He also knew how big a job there was ahead, but the new chief of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, David Davies, is certain he can keep the operation in the black.
Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 16, 2009

Prime Minister to visit stadium site

Prime Minister John Key will visit the construction site of the Forsyth Barr Stadium at Awatea St on Friday morning.
ODT Link

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 14, 2009

Arena Zagreb, Croatia

From Dezeen this morning: RT @thefabricpress @Dezeen call it a “cats cradle sports arena” http://bit.ly/3iG8Im It resembles what Obelix left of a boar roast…

But check out the multifunctional brief:

### Dezeen November 13th, 2009
Arena Zagreb by UPI-2M
By Rose Etherington

Arena Zagreb in Croatia by architects UPI-2M was awarded Structural Design of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona last week.

Arena Zagreb is a multifunctional indoor hall with the footprint of 90340 sq m. It is located in the southwestern part of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, at one of the main city entrances. Also it lies opposite the popular Zagreb recreation and sports centre Jarun. Arena Zagreb has become a new city emblem on one of its main axes, offering to the citizens a large palette of amusement events.
Read more

Nice 3d swivel (notice all the coach parking):

This video shows the look of Zagreb Arena, the new arena finished in November 2008, a few months before the World Handball Championship in Croatia 2009. The arena is multifunctional, for many sports such as boxing, handball, volleyball, basketball, table tenis, athletics etc. Minimum capacity is 10,000 seats for athletics competitions, and maximum with over 25,000 seats for concerts. For handball matches during the world championship capacity will be around 16,000 seats. -metlazgb 20 July 2007

This shows Arena Zagreb, the building of it, step by step, from the lowest underground parts until the end. -metlazgb 28 November 2008

Slideshow

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 14, 2009

STS Notice of Special Meeting

As received:

From: sts-bounces@taniwha.com [mailto:sts-bounces@taniwha.com] On Behalf Of Stop the Stadium Announcement list
Sent: Thursday, 12 November 2009 8:44 p.m.
To: sts@taniwha.com
Subject: [sts] STS Meeting reminder

To all STS members.

Notice of Special meeting, to be held at Pioneer Women’s Hall, 362, Moray Place. (near Dick Smith’s), on Sunday, 15th November, at 3:00pm.

Dear Members,

Sunday’s meeting (a rescheduling of our previous fixture) has been called to debate the future of STS. We urge you to attend and participate.

The forthcoming local body elections (now less than a year away) are likely to be more fiercely-contested than at any time in Dunedin’s recent history. Controversy is likely to intensify, rather than abate, as the existing Councils continue to operate unconstrained by financial reality. The Stadium’s new manager – a bargain at $250,000 per annum – is merely an item of petty cash to the present councillors, and it is symptomatic of our current malaise that Bevan Dodds, of Dunedin City Holdings, yesterday found himself unable to respond to a few simple points raised by Ian [Pillans] in the ODT. It would require too much editorial space, said Mr Dodds, to explain the complex financial dodgery whereby the City Council is able to conjure millions of dollars out of thin air, without cost or disadvantage to anyone. One sympathises with Mr Dodds, for this is certainly a tough assignment – but it would be nice if he were to make the attempt. At the very least we could have a good laugh – and the ODT would hardly wish to abridge such a wonderful exercise in creative jiggery-pokery.

The coming elections will be interesting, with every likelihood of a dramatic cleanout of deadwood both in the DCC and the ORC. We believe that the people who brought about the Stadium disaster (to name just the most prominent debacle) should be returned to the obscurity they merit. We believe that STS can play a useful role in achieving this.

The main business of Sunday’s meeting will be to debate changes to STS’s name and constitution. These changes, which were detailed in our previous mailout, are necessary if we intend to constructively participate in the restoration of honesty and democratic responsibility to the governance of Dunedin. Please come along on Sunday.

Dave Witherow (President). Gavin MacDonald (Vice-President). Pat Johnston (Treasurer). Carol Sawyer (Secretary). Rolf Feitscher. Darryl Ostrer. Lyndon Weggery. (Committee).

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 14, 2009

From the log books of a twenty-year distress

Dunedin City Council has over committed to a stadium. Because of this we lose some sweet, uniting, smaller projects for the city.

Plan for new 800-seat theatre at Dunedin rejected in report.

Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 67.2 kb, new window)
Performing Arts in Dunedin – Options for the future

Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 774.6 kb, new window)
Performing Arts in Dunedin – Options for the Future – Attachment: Report from Deloitte

### ODT Online Sat, 14 Nov 2009
Plan for theatre rejected
By David Loughrey
A plan for a new 800-seat theatre in Dunedin has been rejected in a report, which instead recommends the city’s theatres be overhauled at a cost of more than $14 million. The report leaves the future of the Athenaeum building, which the council bought in 2007 in part to provide for a new theatre, unclear.
Read more

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Otago Railway and Locomotive Society faces long-term problems, as its 700m railway line at Kettle Park may have to go when the council comes up with a management plan for an area affected by encroachment by the sea.

Sadly, another one down – but not out. There are ways the community can help sort the future location and business plan for Ocean Beach Railway.

### ODT Online Fri, 13 Nov 2009
Rail group calls for heritage fund
By David Loughrey
A call for a fund to support Dunedin’s industrial heritage has not found favour with Dunedin City Council staff, who recommend it be rejected, saying it is “not a current priority”.
Read more

A reader’s reaction – Just like I always said…

Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 1.6 mb, new window)
Draft Coastal Dune Reserve Management Plan

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Noah’s Ark – demolition by neglect, by Dunedin City Council?

As the tv ad says: that’s handy.
We’re a sustainable city council after all. [large question mark]

Practically any building of this kind can be conserved, adapted and or redeveloped. Ask any craft builder. But what would Mick Reece know about that.

What do people want to see at Marlow Park? Have that discussion with the community before any demolition takes place.

### ODT Online Sat, 14 Nov 2009
No covenant for this Ark
By Chris Morris
God may have commanded the construction of Noah’s Ark, but it appears only divine intervention can save Dunedin’s version of the vessel. The 64-year-old building which houses Noah’s Ark Cafe at the Marlow Park playground, near St Kilda beach, looks set to be demolished at the Dunedin City Council’s instruction.
Read more

Report – CDC – 17/11/2009 (PDF, 2.1 mb, new window)
Former Noah’s Ark facility – Marlow Park

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 12, 2009

Octagon: When no grand plan exists

UPDATED

Some try to be opportunistic, not in a good way.

### ODT Online Thu, 12 Nov 2009
Car-free Octagon plan hits snag
By David Loughrey
Lower Octagon businesses pushing for the area to be closed to traffic during summer have been told to put more work into their idea if they want it to go ahead.
Read more

And these are the businesses that want to bring in a dress code. Ridiculous.

DCC needs to soldier on with an urban design study of public places in the CBD – especially with regard to the Octagon, which doesn’t show off the centre of town to best advantage. The place should be sparkling, edgy and immaculate, and that’s just the landscaping design.

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Businesses in the lower Octagon that promote and sell alcohol in this way won’t be seeing my patronage for a very long time.

### ODT Online Fri, 13 Nov 2009
Spat over bars’ drinks-discount deal
By Debbie Porteous
A spat between the authorities and lower Octagon bar owners has started over a promotion offering patrons a discounted taxi home if they buy six drinks in four hours. The authorities say the promotion, which covers the period between 7pm and 11pm on Thursdays, breaches the Sale of Liquor Act by encouraging patrons to drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
Read more

A reader’s concerns and the bars’ response

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 12, 2009

Zaha Hadid: ‘Gateway into the Games’ London 2012 Olympics

Remember Eero Saarinen’s TWA at New York…

### Architects’ Journal 11 November, 2009
First look at Zaha’s Olympic Aquatic Centre roof
By Richard Waite

Work has completed on the installation of the wave-like roof, the crowning glory of Zaha Hadid’s London Olympics aquatics centre. The project has been described as ‘the most complicated engineering challenge’ anywhere on the London 2012 Olympic Park.

Manoeuvring the enormous 2,800 tonne signature piece into position at the venue in Stratford, East London, began in March this year.
Read more

The Aquatic Centre in Stratford, East London forms a key legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games. With a capacity of 20,000 spectators during the Games, the two 50m swimming pools and 25m diving pool will be turned into a 3,500 capacity after the Games, forming the British capital’s leading facility for aquatic sports. – darjole, 22 June 2006

Photosharing:
London 2012 Aquatic Centre designed by Zaha Hadid
London 2012 Aquatic Centre
London Olympic Aquatic Centre after 2012

London Olympic Aquatic Centre, June 2008
View of Aquatics site, showing pool footprint.
[uncanny resemblance to Dunedin's stadium site]

Stratford Olympic Site – Aquatic Centre, London July 2009
Aquatic Centre
London Aquatic Centre getting a roof
London 2012 Aquatic Centre, June 2009
Lattice

The temporary additional covered seating stands for the 2010 Olympics:
London 2012 Aquatics Centre, Games mode
London 2012 Aquatics Centre, Games mode

darrenjle15’s photostream showing construction and renders.

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 11, 2009

Slow news

That said, Syd Adie is to be commended.

### ODT Online Wed, 11 Nov 2009
‘More militant’ call prompts Adie walk-out
By Chris Morris

Syd Adie says calls for the Dunedin Ratepayers and Householders Association to become “more militant” were a personal attack on his leadership style after 20 years’ involvement in the organisation.

Mr Adie said yesterday it was the call – by Stop the Stadium member Peter Attwooll – that prompted him to walk out part-way through the association’s public meeting on Monday night.
Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 10, 2009

University building at stadium

UPDATED

Channel 9 News: tomorrow ODT runs a story about the University of Otago’s proposed building at the stadium.

Word is it’ll cost more than originally thought.
By how much, we wonder.

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### ODT Online Wed, 11 Nov 2009
University reviews stadium building
By Allison Rudd
The University of Otago is re-evaluating the design of its building at the Forsyth Barr Stadium site after a preliminary concept report said the building would need to be larger and more expensive than first anticipated.
Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 10, 2009

Dunedin public library services

UPDATED

### ODT Online Tue, 10 Nov 2009
Post office plans revealed
By Mark Price
Dunedin City Council staff and consultants have done “most of the homework” required to convert three floors of the former chief post office, in Princes St, into a new library. Project management company Octa Associates was employed midway through the year to develop the proposal in the building owned by South Canterbury Finance.
Read more + photos

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The former CPO gets further mention…

### ORC Wed, 11 Nov 2009
ORC office plans little advanced, Cairns says
By Rebecca Fox
The Otago Regional Council had not advanced its plans for new office premises much since it shelved its $31 million waterfront proposal in June, chairman Stephen Cairns said. It was unlikely the issue would come before the council “this side of Christmas”.
Read more

### ODT Online Wed, 11 Nov 2009
‘Skeleton’ development urged
By Mark Price
Grant McLauchlan, the Dunedin businessman turning the former RSA clubrooms in the central city into office space yesterday urged the Dunedin City Council to follow suit with the former chief post office, in Princes St. Council staff are investigating using the basement and two floors of the old post office for a new public library, with five higher floors potentially available as office space.

• Council property manager Robert Clark said the investigation into the library proposal, being carried out by Octa Associates, was a joint venture between the council and the building’s owner, South Canterbury Finance. It had yet to be determined who would own the building if the library went ahead.

• Mr Clark said he had received “another memo” yesterday from “some people up north” who were coming to Dunedin next week to “discuss the possibility of a hotel in the existing library”.

Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 9, 2009

NZRU idea – selling off Super 14 franchises

### RNZ National Monday, 09 November 2009 07:53
Morning Report with Geoff Robinson & Sean Plunket
NZRU floats idea of selling off Super 14 rugby franchises

The New Zealand Rugby Union has floated the idea of selling off Super 14 rugby franchises to private interests in a move reminiscent of the ownership structures of English premier league football clubs.
Audio Ogg Vorbis MP3 (5:07)

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

November 9, 2009

Own your own

“This took me approx 33 hours solid to build for my sons 6th birthday. It’s a great looking model but I am very dissapointed with how stable the finished model is. The grey square blocks on the outside if the stadium fall off if you just look at them! So i think i am going to use superglue on the model which i didnt want to do. Also its a little to big. You will struggle to find a shelf or cabinet to fit this on in the average home.”
carl fenlon – telford, 21st January ‘08

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Stadico Stadium Building Kits
How many times have you dreamed of being the owner of your very own football stadium? This superb model kit contains around 2500 pieces, and once built you will be able to cherish your favourite football stadium!
Read more

Thanks to tweet by AxlVanGok

Post by Elizabeth Kerr