More Info →Manawatu Sports Stadium interior, Pascal Street

The $1.5 million Palmerston North stadium, called Arena Manawatu, was opened 2 April 1981 by Prince Charles. It was designed by consulting engineers, Bill Lobell Smith and Associates. Russell Longley (pictured) was the organiser of the first event staged there, a Trades Fair. At the time it was the largest clear-span building in the country, seating 3,500 people.