Major venues pivot to become mass vaccination centres

August 30, 2021

Major venue across Australia and New Zealand have swapped sport and entertainment for vaccines, becoming locations for mass vaccinations against COVID-19.

On Saturday, the day when it had at one time been scheduled to host the third Bledisloe Cup test, Wellington’s Sky Stadium opened as drive-through Coronavirus vaccination clinic.

Open to the public after launching on Friday to essential workers, is being run by the Capital & Coast District Health Board, offering vaccinations by appointment only.

Commenting on the change, Sky Stadium Chief Executive, Shane Harmon said a month ago they were planning for a Bledisloe Cup match, telling the Stuff news website “the loss of the match hurt, but it gave us an opportunity to assist in a small way towards keeping our community safe and getting our lives back to normal.”

In Palmerston North, the Central Energy Trust Arena and the Fly Palmy Arena are also being used as drive-through vaccination clinic.

On LinkedIn, John Lynch, Manager Venues Palmerston North for Palmerston North City Council, advised “great that community assets can be utilised during lockdown … (the change) shows the versatility of our new Speedway pits area.”

In the ACT, Canberrans will be able to access a COVID-19 vaccination centre at the AIS Arena as of Friday 3rd September, with the AIS Arena COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Clinic to replace the mass vaccination clinic currently located at the Garran Surge Centre.

ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr stated “this move to the AIS means more Canberrans will be able to access a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination faster.”

With the AIS Arena owned by the Federal Government as part of Canberra’s Australian Institute of Sport campus, Federal Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck noted “the vaccination clinic at the AIS Arena will play an important role ensuring those who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine can get vaccinated as quickly as possible, and is aligned with the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.”

In South Australia, Adelaide Venue Management (AVM) Corporation Chief Executive, Anthony Kirchner reinforce the importance of the vaccination uptake among staff, advising that they need to get vaccinated “as soon as you get the opportunity”, warning “venues are going to have to demonstrate that their staff are fully vaccinated” to lure major clients.

As reported by InDaily, Kirchner told staff “we’re all going to need to be vaccinated if AVM is to achieve its full potential”, advising that in the context of “winning new business”, it was “becoming increasingly evident that venues are going to have to demonstrate that their staff are fully vaccinated against COVID in the not-too distant future”.

Image: The drive-through Coronavirus vaccination clinic at Palmerston North’s Central Energy Trust Arena. Credit: John Lynch, Manager Venues Palmerston North.

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26th August 2021 - National Cabinet to consider access to leisure for vaccinated Australians

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24th August 2021 - Sydney Roosters advise of plans to ban unvaccinated fans from NRL fixtures in 2022

23rd August 2021 - Royal Life Saving provides guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations and aquatic facilities

20th August 2021 - New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown sees facilities closed

20th August 2021 - Outback music festival organiser to demand proof of vaccination for attendees in 2022

19th August 2021 - Qudos Bank Arena’s new role as NSW Health mass vaccination centre

12th August 2021 - New Zealand Government looks to quarantine-free travel for vaccinated from early next year

7th August 2021 - Intrepid Travel to make vaccines mandatory for travellers and staff

4th August 2021 - Vaccine Passports to be required for NSW sporting venues in 2022?

30th July 2021 - Australia’s lockdowns to end once 80% of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19

28th July 2021 - Unvaccinated Australians could be barred from festivals, theatres and sport and entertainment venues

14th February 2021 - Wellington’s Sky Stadium hosts largest crowd for a concert anywhere in the world for nearly a year

11th February 2021 - Redevelopment nears completion at Palmerston North’s Central Energy Trust Arena

30th June 2020 - Sport Australia to keep Canberra’s AIS Arena closed for remainder of the year

7th April 2020 - Adelaide Venue Management repurpose venues to help community catering organisations

15th October 2019 - Adelaide Venue Management Corporation warns fans over unofficial Coopers Stadium website

9th September 2019 - New artificial turf field revealed at Palmerston North’s Central Energy Trust Arena

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