Seaside stadium appeals to Sir JK

fEden Park may be known as a fortress for the All Blacks and home of many of New Zealand’s most memorable sporting moments.

But even All Black legend Sir John Kirwan agrees it’s past its use-by date.

The Auckland Waterfront Consortium has proposed a new 50,000 seat, fully enclosed international stadium to be built within the next 10 years.

It will be built alongside a redeveloped Bledisloe Wharf at Ports of Auckland, partly on reclaimed land and partly sunk into the seabed.

Other features include a floating roof above sea level and the removal of Captain Cook Wharf, which is currently used for car imports.

The self-funded multi-purpose stadium would displace Eden Park, leaving the iconic venue to be redeveloped for residential use.

Although plenty of Auckland locals have praised the plan, many Kiwi sports fans have struggled to look past Eden Park’s sentimental value.

However, Kirwan said it was time to move on to bigger and better things.

“The first thing I thought about was what about the tradition of Eden Park but unfortunately the local people don’t like the stadium . . . we’ll keep Eden Park in our hearts but it’s just past its use-by date,” Kirwan told Radio Sport.

“Sure, I will be sad to see it go, however, it doesn’t work anymore and as a city, we need a bigger stadium than that and I think an international stadium, a multi-use stadium of that size down there will be great.

“Sentimentally I love Eden Park but it’s just past its use-by date so let’s create some new memories, let’s create some other great stuff in the new stadium.”

Kirwan, who was part of the 1987 World Cup winning All Blacks side and still stands as one of the highest try scorers in international rugby history, described the new stadium plan as outstanding and said it would be a step in the right direction for New Zealand’s sporting landscape.