Feedback sought for Carisbrook

The Otago Rugby Football Union is to commission an independent survey to help to determine the future of Carisbrook's terrace.

ORFU chief executive Russell Gray yesterday confirmed that the union would seek public feedback as it weighed up options for the terrace area.

About 4900 plastic seats were installed on the terrace for Otago's match against the touring Lions in June, with standing patrons left with an area at the Hillside end of the ground.

The seats remained in place for the early rounds of the NPC and last Saturday's test between the All Blacks and Springboks.

The move has drawn criticism from some who argue the ground has lost its distinct flavour and attraction for fans.

Crowd numbers for Otago's first two NPC home matches against Bay of Plenty and Auckland were dismal.

A total of 29,500 turned out for the All Blacks test, 500 short of capacity.

"The terrace seats were clearly put in for the Lions game to try to meet the requirements of a minimum of 7000 premium seats," Gray said.

"To take them away now would probably be viewed by the New Zealand Rugby Union as a negative step.However, we have to be conscious of what the market actually wants.

"We'll get all the feedback we can and make a decision based on that feedback."

Gray said a company would be commissioned to carry out the survey and find out what genuine fans wanted from the ground.

He said that while it was costly to keep installing and removing the seats it was a cost the union might have to bear to "try to satisfy as many fans as possible".

It was hoped the survey would be carried out in the next few weeks, he said.

Meanwhile, Gray was delighted with the response to Saturday's test, with the New Zealand and South African unions praising the running of the event.

"I've had nothing but positive comments. NZRU officials at the after-match function were all waxing lyrical about how well we had run the event.

"The quality of the surface was commented on, as well as the quality of entertainment and the whole atmosphere at the ground. Both camps commented what a pleasurable place Dunedin was to be in."

While the match was not a sellout, Gray was satisfied the Otago union got within 500 tickets of putting out the full-house signs.

"Although we had a real struggle to sell as many tickets as we did, we pretty much got there in the end.

"You can make the comparison with the Springboks test at Jade Stadium last year where they were about 4000 short of capacity. We don't have this on our own.

"This is not the first test not to sell out."

- NZPA