The Crusaders home ground of AMI Stadium in Christchurch will remain closed during the 2012 Super Rugby season forcing the Crusaders to play their matches on the road again.
AMI Stadium suffered heavy damage in the February earthquakes which hit Christchurch and killed 181 people.
The damage to the stadium meant that the Crusaders could not play their home games in the city of Christchurch and rugby world cup organisers had to move seven matches to other cities.
Christchurch City Council have now revealed that the at least one stand will have to be demolished and while the long term future of the stadium is in doubt there is no chance of the stadium being used next year.
Councillor Sue Wells told The Press,”The council is still working with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union on finding an alternative home for rugby in Christchurch.”
“At this stage we can confirm that the stadium will not be available for the 2012 season and we will continue working with everyone involved.”
Wells said that AMI Stadium’s Hadlee Stand had suffered severe damage in the earthquakes and that engineers had recommended its demolition.
Final decisions on the stadium are some months away but Wells said work was underway to establish the best way to save the other stands and one option was to drive piles 25 metres into the ground to reach solid ground.
“Engineers are working now to determine the best method of repair and to establish the costs involved,” Wells said.
“I understand that our community is eager to find out more about the future of our event facilities and we want to ensure they are part of the process of moving our city forward.
“We have promised to keep residents informed as the work progresses and these latest reports have only been viewed by the council this morning. ”
“We will continue to provide the very latest updates to the community as soon as the information becomes available.”
The Crusaders will now have to find alternative venues to play their matches as they did in 2011