LAUNCESTON’S Silverdome is preparing for a big week next week, when it will host two international sporting events in 72 hours.
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Preparing for both the Australia v New Zealand Constellation Cup Netball match on Wednesday and the Daniel Geale v Renold Quinlan boxing match on Friday presents a logistical challenge for the venue, which has only 48 hours between events to reset.
“There’s some similarities between the two [set-ups] but there is quite a bit of work,” Silverdome Launceston general manager Scott Woodham said.
Staff will work day and night in teams of around 12 to ensure the venue is ready for the second event.
An extra 700 grandstand seats have been brought into the Silverdome in preparation.
“We’ve actually brought up eight sets of temporary grandstand seating … the logistics of getting that here and getting it set up has been something new and different for us but it certainly value adds to both events,”
These extra seats take the total seating capacity for the netball to 3400.
“They sold out in about 20 minutes, it was insane,” Mr Woodham said.
“The boxing will be a slightly smaller crowd and it’s a different set up as well.”
Despite the challenges Mr Woodham is excited to be hosting the events.
“It’s huge for us to be able to have two international quality events here at any time of the year … but to be able to host them both together within 72 hours is pretty special,” he said.
Mr Woodham said the venue is very flexible and compares well to other international venues.
“I think for the different things that we do we’re probably one of the more flexible venues around Australia at the moment, considering that we can do cycling, hockey, futsal, netball, and run meetings and events,” he said.
“A building that’s 30-years-old and that we’re able to do that, it's a testament to it really.”
The event will bring a significant number of people into the region, a boost to the local economy.
“It’s special for us to have this here but its really great for Launceston as well,” Mr Woodham said.
“It’s nice to be able to share the love with the community … It’s one thing for us to be able to have the events but for the rest of the community to be able to benefit from it as well is just fantastic.”