Workers construct the huge stage at Mt Smart Stadium. Picture / Kenny Rodger
Workers construct the huge stage at Mt Smart Stadium. Picture / Kenny Rodger
KEY POINTS:
Scores of builders were at work at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday building the huge stage for Irish super-group U2's sold-out concerts.
Setting up the stage is a massive undertaking and "takes a huge amount of organisation", site co-ordinator Toby Flemming said.
The Irish band will play on Fridayand Saturday night at Mt Smart Stadium. They were due to play in Auckland in March as part of their Vertigo Tour but had to postpone the concerts after a close family member of the band fell ill.
Two large towers and part of the stage had been partially constructed by yesterday afternoon.
Construction workers could be seen milling around the stage and large trucks were stopped and checked by security before being allowed to enter or leave the site.
Mr Flemming said it would take 15 trucks, 17 containers and three freight planes to transport the stage parts from Australia, where the band has been touring,
"We started building it on Sunday and we have four days to set it up ... and we are slightly ahead of schedule," he said.
"We've got a great crew and the only challenge is getting the trucks down the slight hill here [into the stadium]," said Mr Flemming, an American who lives in Rotorua.
Construction crews were working two five-hour shifts a day from 8am to 1pm and then from 2pm to 7pm.
"It will take 30 hours in total to set the stage up, then another 10 to 12 hours to set everything else up like lights and the video show."
Mr Flemming said he was pleased the band had rescheduled the tour.
"[Bono] loves his stage and I'm proud of them honouring their word and coming back. There's a tremendous cost in cancelling concerts. It cost them a lot to cancel and come back. The band is all heart and soul."
