Demolition work will begin on Wednesday afternoon on a $20 million temporary stand at the new home ground for Canterbury rugby next season.
Damage to AMI Stadium in the February earthquake left Christchurch without a venue for top level sports events and music concerts.
The temporary stadium will have seating for 17,000 and is being built at Rugby League Park in Addington.
It is expected to be completed by March next year, in time for the 2012 Super rugby season and the Crusaders' first home game.
The existing stands are being demolished and the turf replaced.
A Test match between the All Blacks and Ireland is scheduled to be played at the venue in June next year. The stadium will also be used for music events.
