John MacDonald: Why the new stadium means so much to us

Make no mistake, today is a massive day for Christchurch.   Normally, you’d say the official opening - when the ‘hoi-polloi’ gather to cut ribbons and make speeches - is massive.  But today’s the day. Because today, the stadium becomes ours.  And I’m with Mayor Phil Mauger who is saying that it has been worth every penny.  It’s a spend that not everyone has been and will be happy about. But as the mayor is also saying today, he doesn't think people realise yet the benefits it’s going to bring the city.  Primarily, he’s talking about the economic benefits. And who can argue with the benefits from this weekend alone?  25,000 people at the stadium tonight. Tens of thousands more tomorrow and Sunday.  And, as ChristchurchNZ boss Ali Adams is saying today, the stadium will bring people here who will leave with a changed view of the city and some of them will come back. Not just for another visit - but to study, work and invest here.  But it’s also the social benefits that the stadium is going to bring us.       It’s a bit of a cliche - but, isn’t it amazing, how things change over time?  I can still vividly remember going to the old AMI stadium at Lancaster Park with my mate, Adam, taking our two first-borns to see the Crusaders play under the lights.  My daughter and my mate Adam's son were preschoolers and we had it all organised with enough snacks to keep them happy and enough clothes to keep them warm and all of that.  Sometimes, of course, half a game would be enough for the wee ones, and we’d shoot off home at half time.  I can still see the photo. My little girl in her black and red poncho and black and red beanie.  Fast forward to today and it’s the kids arranging to take me to the big opening game.  Buying me a ticket for Christmas, telling me the social plan beforehand and afterwards. Which I suspect will see me heading home to bed long before they’re ready to call it a night.  And just like Lancaster Park or Jade stadium or AMI stadium (whatever you want to call it), I know that our new stadium is going to be the place where future generations of Cantabrians fall in love with the thrill of rowdy togetherness.  Because this isn’t just a massive pile of concrete and steel in the centre of town. This is going to be the place where we will celebrate the wins. Together.   Where we’ll accept the losses. Together.   Where we’ll be moved by the artists and performers who will come to Christchurch from all over the world. We’ll do all of that together.   And if you’re going to any of the super round matches this weekend - or whenever you end up going - I guarantee that’s one of the first things you will feel.   I know that because, even at the crusaders training run last week, the overwhelming thing that got me as I walked through those shiny new doors was “here we all are again”.  15 years later - here we all are again.   And that’s why I am absolutely fizzing today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.