Company shouts 4000 free tickets
Thousands of Taranaki rugby fans can go to the reopening match at Yarrow Stadium for free.
The company in charge of the $70 million rebuild of the stadium, Clelands Construction, has decided to shout 4000 tickets for the national provincial championship match between Taranaki and Waikato on Saturday, September 3.
The match will be the first time rugby has been played at the stadium since 2019 after it was closed to the public when it was discovered the two stands posed a serious earthquake risk.
The West Stand, which has been strengthened, will be open for the match, although it will not have a roof on after delays blamed on bad weather.
The tickets will be for the terraces and surrounding areas of the West Stand, which will be reserved for season ticket holders, sponsors and the paying public.
However, the tickets have a potential value of $60,000 with Taranaki Rugby charging an adult $15 for general admission.
‘‘We are thrilled to be partnering with the Clelands Construction team to give thousands of Taranaki locals the opportunity to enjoy our return to Yarrow Stadium,’’ Taranaki
Rugby chief executive Mike Sandle said.
The free tickets were available from midday yesterday online and on a first in, first served basis with two tickets per person.
Clelands Construction managing director Michael Braggins said the decision to give away so many tickets was in support of the Taranaki rugby side.
‘‘It’ll be great to have the team back on their home ground, and we’re proud to have played a small part in getting them there,’’ he said.
Work on the West Stand is one part of the $70m redevelopment of the stadium, which has already seen new lighting and a new hybrid turf installed.
Originally set to cost a ‘‘firm’’ $50m, the $20m budget blowout was announced earlier this year at the same time plans for the brand new East Stand were revealed. The new East Stand, which will be smaller than its demolished predecessor, is expected to be finished by 2024.