GRAPHIC: The temporary new stadium will use some of the techniques used for Auckland's The Cloud.

Prime Minister John Key has defended the Government's decision to contribute about $11 million towards the revamp of Rugby League Park in Christchurch.

On the campaign trail in the city today, Key said a multi-purpose temporary stadium would be built on the Addington park and was expected to be finished by March, in time for the Crusaders' first Super rugby home game.

The city's main sporting and entertainment venue, AMI Stadium, was badly damaged in the September and February earthquakes, with the turf badly affected by liquefaction. Christchurch lost all its Rugby World Cup matches as a result.

GRAPHIC: The temporary new stadium will use some of the techniques used for Auckland's The Cloud.

After announcing the Government would underwrite the $20 million cost, Key said it was important Cantabrians had a venue that catered for first-class sport matches and entertainment events.

"I think it is crucial, it is a step towards the restoration of normality for Cantabrians,'' Key said.

"It is one thing to go to work every day and go through the hassles of fixing your home up or rebuilding your home but people want to have things to look forward to, to be able to take the kids out and just do normal family things.

"And sport is very important to Cantabrians. So if we don't have facilities like this, a lot of people are going to be disillusioned with living in Christchurch and there is a long hard work for this province and this city while we put it all back together again.

"Sometimes you have to spend a little bit of money as a bridging mechanism.''

Funding will also be provided by the Christchurch City Council and the New Zealand Rugby Union, but it is the Government that will pay for the bulk of the dated ground's refurbishment.

Canterbury Rugby League is the council-owned ground's long-term tenant, but the body will sub-lease it to the Canterbury Rugby Football Union for six years.

A test match between the All Blacks and Ireland is scheduled to be played at the revamped park next June. It is also hoped football matches will be held there.

The Government's revamp approval, which will involve replacing the two existing stands with temporary structures and the insertion of new turf and lighting towers, is not without controversy.

Some Christchurch ratepayers, who are already contributing more than $1m for the venture via the city's council, say they would prefer the money was spent on infrastructure. Key defended his stance by noting they were fully committed to Christchurch's rebuild.

"What I would say is the government is effectively putting in six [million dollars into Rugby League Park] and the balance is coming from a variety of different sources.

"We also have a provision for a $5.5 billion in Budget 2011, so I think if you look at it in the context of $5 or $6m versus $5.5b you can see that the vast bulk of funds are going to rebuild homes and ... Christchurch.''

Of the $20m for the project, $6m will come from Government and $5m from the Prime Minister's fund that was established earlier in the year to receive donations from independent parties.

The balance, said Key, would be provided by a variety of different sources, including corporate sponsors and the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal Trust.

Half the Government's contribution will be split between a gift and an interest-free loan to be repaid on a "best and endeavour basis''.

Key also confirmed uncertainty remained around the future of AMI Stadium. A decision on whether the ground can be saved is expected before New Year.

"The rationale behind the investment is that there is a very uncertain future for AMI. We really don't know if that can be rebuilt. Even if it can, it is a long-run thing. So it would have been years for the Crusaders not being able to play rugby here, as well as rugby league and other codes.''

CONSTRUCTION STARTS NEXT WEEK



Construction is expected to start at the park next week, as the developers face a race against the clock to have the ground completed before the Crusaders' first home Super rugby match against the Chiefs on March 9.

The stadium's capacity will be 17,000, but there is potential to increase that total to 26,000 for a test match. It would include undercover seating for 8500 people and corporate hosting facilities.

The new temporary stadium would be run by a trust and have a lifespan of three to five years.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said the venue would be built using some of the ''innovative techniques'' developed for The Cloud venue on Auckland's waterfront and the Westpac Business Hub next to Christchurch's CBS Canterbury Arena.



''The facilities will be up to international match standard with television broadcast facilities, lighting, and facilities for players and officials,'' he said.



A full programme of events for 2012 was being developed.

Key said the stadium would allow Cantabrians to experience the Crusaders and Canterbury ITM Cup home games, Phoenix football matches, rugby league games, other major sporting events, concerts and festival events.

Music industry figures - including promoters Neil Cox, Campbell Smith and Manolo Echave, and Ticketek's Brendon Bainbridge and Phantom Billstickers' Jamey Holloway - welcomed the announcement, saying they were happy big international and local music events could again be held in the city.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the upgrade was "fantastic news".

"I am delighted with the initiative to develop Rugby League Park, which will ultimately ensure Christchurch will again be able to host sporting fixtures and special entertainment events," he says.

Parker said his council "front-footed" the development with September's announcement that it would contribute $1m to the park's upgrade.