Media Release for immediate use – March 10 2008

More Time Required to Name the New East Stand

A public submission process to find the name for the new East Stand at AMI Stadium has been so well subscribed the panel choosing the name wants more time to make the decision.

Vbase and AMI Insurance ran a two-week campaign collecting names from the public, with the intention of announcing the new name today.

However Vbase Chief Executive Bryan Pearson says the panel wants time to investigate some suggestions more closely.

“We have received a number of diverse and compelling suggestions,” he says. “We have begun to research them thoroughly, so we can do justice to them.

“We expect to announce the new name in five or six weeks’ time. I hope people will bear with us and understand we are taking their suggestions, and our role in deciding a name for the East Stand, very seriously.

“It’s one thing to suggest a name, however it’s even more critical to fully understand its relevance to Canterbury’s foremost sporting venue and resonance with the people of this region.”

KEY FACTS

Redevelopment of AMI Stadium
- The $60million redevelopment will be completed in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
- The covered seating at AMI Stadium will be significantly upgraded with the new East Stand seating approximately 15,000 people. This will increase the permanent seated capacity of AMI Stadium to approximately 41,000 people.
- The new East Stand will be one level lower than the Paul Kelly Motor Company Stand. It will have only one tier of hospitality seating, incorporating both corporate suites and lounges.
- A first floor concourse around the stadium will link the new stand with the existing stands. This means access to the stadium will be controlled from the first floor allowing perimeter fencing at ground level to be removed, allowing landscaping along the open Wilsons Road, Steven Street and Lismore Street frontages.

AMI Insurance sponsorship of AMI Stadium
- Sponsorship announced August 10, 2007
- AMI Insurance is more than naming sponsor. It is a Vbase partner in securing more events and ensuring the long term success of AMI Stadium.
- AMI and Vbase agreed not to seek a commercial naming rights sponsor for the new East Stand and to seek community involvement in naming the stand.
- AMI has an 80-year history and is headquartered in Christchurch.

ENDS

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