The roof is finally coming down at Christchurch's earthquake damaged Lancaster Park.
Another roof panel comes off the Paul Kelly stand at Christchurch's Lancaster Park. Photo: RNZ / Rachel Graham
The stadium is being pulled down due to extensive damage in the February 2011 earthquake.
A 400 tonne crane, which stands one hundred metres tall - twice the height of the stadium - has been brought in to lift off the roof from the two main covered stands, the Paul Kelly and Deans stands.
Christchurch City Council project manager Lee Butcher said three months of planning work had gone into the process of removing the roof panels.
The roof on the Paul Kelly Stand was made up of 15 large panels, which need to be removed from 45 metres up in the air.
"These one are about 26 metres long, weigh about 13 tonnes. They are relatively small compared to what we will do when we go to the Deans stand," said Mr Butcher.
"That's why we tackled the Paul Kelly stand first. Get a rhythm, get a routine, and make sure all our systems work."
They expected to have the roofs completely off by October, and then a tender will go out for the stands to be demolished.
Demolition of the smaller Tui Stand has now been completed, and the Hadlee Stand came down in 2012 due to safety concerns.
From 1881 up until the 2011 quake Lancaster Park was Christchurch's main sporting venue, for rugby, cricket and occasionally other sports such as tennis and soccer.
The venue was also the site for a number of major concerts including Pearl Jam in 2009 and U2 in 1989 and Pope John Paul held a large public mass in the oval in 1986.
A council spokesperson said staff were currently working with stakeholders on future use options for Lancaster Park, and a report would go to council for a decision.