Mayor Chin said that the start of the roof construction was a significant milestone: “Once complete, Dunedin will have New Zealand’s largest, multi-purpose indoor venue and the world’s first to have a transparent ETFE roof over a grass playing surface.

“Forsyth Barr Stadium will provide Dunedin with a world-class venue in a stunning harbourside location – truly the envy of other New Zealand centres and a statement of confidence in our community’s future.

“I applaud the Stadium Trust, project team, contractors and sub-contractors for the progress made to date,” said Mr Chin.

Stadium Trust Chairman, Malcolm Farry, said the Forsyth Barr Stadium was now 8 months into the 25-month construction programme. Construction remained on track for completion by 1 August 2011.

“Over the course of this year, the final shape of the Stadium will become evident as the roof is built. The roof will connect the South and North Stands and create a new landmark for the city,” said Mr Farry.

The column is one of the two roof support columns. The two columns – one at each end of the main South Stand – will support the main roof truss running east-west along the front edge of the main South Stand. The main truss, in turn, supports the southern end of the five roof arches spanning over the pitch. The northern end of the roof arches is supported by the concrete columns of the North Stand.

The column, which is approximately 24 metres high and 85 tonnes in weight, was delivered in sections, before being reassembled onsite and lifted into position by crane. The column is made from steel tubing with a wall thickness of 60 millimetres and diameter of 711 millimetres.