KEY POINTS:
A temporary 2000-seat grandstand was put up yesterday to create two indoor playing courts for the Netball World Championships at Waitakere City.
With the temporary stand, the Trusts Stadium can seat a total of 5600 people for its biggest event since opening in 2004.
More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the eight-day tournament, opening Saturday.
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey hopes for a boost for the city's economy and for tourism, based on its wilderness areas and wine trail.
Television coverage of games will be viewed in Britain, South Africa and Australia.
But limited visitor accommodation and nightlife means many of the tournament visitors will stay, play and spend down the motorway in Auckland City.
Waitakere City public affairs director Wally Thomas said: "We think nearly every bed in the city is taken."
Thirty local businesses are setting up in the "netball village" at the stadium, hoping to share in the visitors' spending on food and drink. Live entertainment will take place in a marquee that holds 1000 people.
Lisa McCamish, of The Hangar restaurant and bar, said business was expected to be three times busier than normal during the tournament. "We've a huge seven days coming up, with businesses bringing people here before the games. More staff have been called in."
Tournament organisers hope to spread out the flow of arrivals and departures at the venue to avoid overtaxing roads and public transport.
Event general manager Jane Patterson said more than 1000 public parking spaces were available at several sites near the stadium.
But it was hoped many people would choose to take the train to Henderson and from there a free shuttle bus to the stadium.
