HRH Prince William of Wales will have a firsthand look at the development of Auckland's Eden Park for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) when he visits New Zealand in January.
Prince William will be hosted at Eden Park by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully, Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) Chairman Jock Hobbs and RNZ 2011 CEO Martin Snedden.
The Prince, who is an avid Rugby fan and former player, attended the Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2003 and 2007. He also paid a visit to New Zealand in 2005 for the British and Irish Lions tour.
"This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the developments being made to our top Rugby stadium. I am sure that, with his keen interest in Rugby, Prince William will impressed with the progress that has been made so far and we hope he will be able to return in 2011 to join in the RWC 2011 celebrations and watch some outstanding Rugby," said Snedden.
The capacity of Eden Park will be boosted to 60,000, making it the country's premier Rugby venue. For RWC 2011, the stadium will host five pool matches as well as the semi-finals, the Bronze Final and the Final.
The redevelopment is due to be completed in October 2010 at a total cost of $190 million. Key features of the redevelopment include:
- A new three-tier 21,500 seat South Stand with 50 corporate boxes;
- A new, unroofed two-tier East Stand (replacing the eastern terraces) with 8,600 capacity and an acoustic barrier behind the stand to contain noise;
- Extension of the northern Stand with a 2,000 seat lower bowl ;
- Internalisation of pedestrian movement, within the Eden Park site. Public concourses in the east and west connecting all stands with transport centre and providing access to Kingsland railway station via Walters Rd;
- A transport hub in the south west of the Park with 12 bus parks for drop off and pick up;
- Increased landscaping around the park perimeter.
Prince William is in New Zealand to represent the Queen at the opening of the new Supreme Court building in Wellington on January 18.
Other activities on his itinerary include sailing on Waitemata Harbour on the America's Cup yacht NZL40, a hangi at Government House, laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, a barbeque hosted by the Prime Minister at Premier House, and a visit to Wellington Children's Hospital.