Jade Stadium - Big screen not in plans for upgrade (16 March 1999)

16 March 1999

Jade Stadium - Big screen not in plans for upgrade

The Christchurch Press

A big video replay screen will not be installed at Jade Stadium as part of the planned $35 million park upgrade because stadium chiefs say it is too expensive.

"The cost ranges somewhere between $3 million and $7 million to install a big screen," Jade Stadium Ltd general manager Campbell Prentice said.

"We are considering it and haven't discounted it completely, but the cost is too prohibitive."

Prentice agreed a big screen would add atmosphere to major sporting events at the stadium.

"I'd be the first to admit you miss the instant replay element, but the cost of it is astronomical.

"Unless we find someone who wants to sponsor it, it won't be part of the upgrade at this stage.

"Things like roofs rate higher on the priority list."

With the advent of "video referees" and "third umpires" in sports such as rugby league and cricket, replay screens are now considered as vital spectator amenities overseas.

Spectators increasingly expect to be able to watch instant replays of on-field incidents.

A portable screen - based in Auckland and used regularly at Eden Park - has been occasionally at Jade Stadium in past years.

"But even to hire that for the day is a prohibitive cost," Prentice said.

It was not brought to Christchurch for either one-day cricket international this year.

Prentice understood a permanent screen had been bought for the new Wellington waterfront stadium.

"But we haven't got one and neither has Carisbrook."

Prentice said the cost of a screen "depended on the technology".

But a full video replay screen "with television picture quality" would cost $7 million, he said.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)