Special spring floor imported after stadium disaster

General manager Nigel Skelt inspects the damage after heavy snow caused the roof of Stadium Southland to collapse. Photo / NZPA

A wooden spring board floor will be shipped in from Singapore and Southland's velodrome will host the region's netball and basketball franchises until Stadium Southland is rebuilt, it was decided today.

Stadium Southland General Manager Nigel Skelt said the stadium's management has acquired the floor which was used for the recent Youth Olympics in Singapore.

The home venue for the Southern Steel and Southern Sharks, Stadium Southland, was irrepairably damaged on Saturday morning after the roof collapsed under the weight of snow.

"It's really important we have the franchises still in the community. They're the jewels in our crown," Mr Skelt said.

Other events have also had to be relocated from Stadium Southland.
This weekend's Dunkley's Great New Zealand Craft Show is to be held at the velodrome, as will the upcoming Americana car show.

Christmas at the Stadium would be at the Invercargill Civic Centre, as would upcoming dinners also due to be held at the stadium.

Mr Skelt said the only event which could not be relocated was a run of nine shows by a Invercargill theatre company. He said cleanup at the stadium site had been hindered by the weather.

The stadium was insured, and Mr Skelt said improvements could be made to the rebuilt stadium.

"In an odd obscure way there is an exciting opportunity," he said.