Eden Park Trust Board today welcomed the news from Rugby World Cup 2011 organisers that the economic spin-offs from the tournament will be bigger than anticipated, and reiterated that Eden Park is ready to play its part to ensure these will be realised.

Eden Park Development Committee Chairman Rob Fisher urged the need for speed in getting Auckland and New Zealand ready for what will be the world’s third largest sports tournament.

“We need to be thinking now about how we give the 70,000 international visitors to New Zealand an outstanding experience and send them home as ambassadors for our great city and country,” he said.

“Eden Park, as the planned focal point of the tournament and host of the World Cup Final is well down the track to showcasing Auckland and New Zealand to the world in the best possible fashion in 2011.

“The opportunities from this tournament are tremendous; however we are in danger of missing out if we don’t act quickly to take advantage of them.

“Stadium developments can play a key role in revitalising communities and providing economic and social benefits. There are numerous examples of this around the world, from Athens to Beijing to Brisbane.

“Eden Park was a key part of the winning bid. Once developed it will be the world-class stadium that Auckland and New Zealand needs to host world class events,” he said.

“Eden Park’s proposed design fully meets the brief given to us by the bid committee, offers value for money, and is achievable under the tight timeframe. It will offer Auckland and New Zealand a world class stadium into the future. It remains to be seen whether another option is better able to achieve this.”