Demolition starts on dangerous Birkenhead War Memorial grandstand

The derelict 60-year-old grandstand in an Auckland park is finally set to be demolished after sitting cordoned off and targeted by vandals for two years.

The Birkenhead War Memorial Park grandstand is set to be demolished

The Birkenhead War Memorial Park grandstand on the North Shore was closed due to safety concerns in 2016, after contractors discovered rust in the structural steel framing.

In June, local politicians questioned the length of time it had taken Auckland Council to approve removing the grandstand, saying it needed to be "demolished immediately".

The grandstand was an original fixture in the park opened by governor-general Lord Cobham on April 19, 1958, and was home to several sports clubs.

Kaipātiki Local board deputy chairwoman Danielle Grant said once the grandstand had been removed the space would be set up as temporary car parking, until the Birkenhead War Memorial Park master plan had been completed and implemented.  

The park plan included a proposal for a multi-sport facility, Grant said.

This article is published by Stuff and the full article is available here