Prime Minister John Key has unveiled plans for the 2011 Rugby World Cup celebrations at Queens Wharf in Auckland.
[image:334:full]The redeveloped site, named The Cloud, will cost $9.8 million and will be paid for by central government.
The 180-metre-long temporary facility will hold almost 6000 people and be used for concerts and festival events, as a fan zone during Rugby World Cup matches and for showcasing and hosting.
The Cloud will also be used as an international media lounge and for VIP hosting and is designed to last much longer than the rugby tournament, Mr Key says.
"It's certainly going to be a great structure and technically speaking, it could last up to 15 years. I'm not suggesting it would be there that long, but it could be there for a period of time if we want to use it for other things."
The new Auckland Council will pay $3.6 million to refurbish Shed 10, which will remain on site.
Redevelopment work is already under way and is on schedule to be finished in time for the tournament, Mr Key said.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup begins on 9 September, with the final to be held at Auckland's Eden Park on 23 October.
