Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr stadium wasn’t universally welcomed and mumblings about its cost to ratepayers continues.
But yesterday the city was buzzing and a near-capacity crowd enjoyed a wonderful game of rugby there in comfort.
It was a mild evening but even so it was probably the first time most of the crowd had watched a test in Dunedin in shirt sleeves.
The roof climate-proofs events and that matters this far south.
Rugby was the winner last night but the stadium is used for a variety of other activities which are much more enjoyable for being held under cover.
Among these is the Otago wine and food festival which will take place at the stadium on November 23rd.
Economists say that people putting the case for stadiums overestimate the benefits and underestimate the costs.
But not everything can be measured in money.
Dunedin isn’t feeling very positive at the moment but the stadium is a bright spot which brings locals together and attracts people from other places too.
Posted by homepaddock 
Homepaddock 