AusLeisure

Just a month after it was flooded and extensively damaged, Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium returned to action on Saturday night to host Brisbane Roar's A-League clash with Gold Coast United.

Flooding of the Milton venue, to a depth of 1.4 metres on its playing surface, was one of the most memorable images of the Brisbane floods of 12th January. The floods ruined dressing rooms, car parks and other infrastructure and, although repairs are expected to continue for many month, the venue was able to open its gates on Saturday evening.

Areas previously dedicated to cars are now home to makeshift dressing rooms, showers and toilets, while rooms previously used for storage have become the stadium's temporary press conference and control room facilities.

Stadium General Manager Alan Graham said the key factors to meeting deadlines for Saturday's reopening had been ensuring the stadium's playing surface was up to scratch, making certain the power requirements in the temporary facilities were met and ensuring the fire control system was not compromised.

Graham told local media "we've done a hell of a lot of planning (with) very firm deadlines set and very little deviation because we just haven't had the time.

"We've had some quite specific needs. We've had to stand in line and take what's available. We're proud of what our team has done."

Graham has paid tribute to the "genius" of his staff, who have worked relentlessly to ensure the ground returned to action as soon as possible, adding "they've put their shoulder to the wheel. They've been working around the clock. We've got some really smart people who've done some great things for us."

Saturday's match was attended by over 20,000 fans who saw Brisbane Roar presented with the Premier's Plate for finishing the season on top of the A-League table.

19th January 2011 - CLEAN UP BEGINS AT SUNCORP STADIUM

17th January 2011 - QUEENSLAND: FLOODED ONE DAY, ALMOST PERFECT THE NEXT

12th January 2011 - FLOOD IMPACT UPDATE ON AEG OGDEN MANAGED VENUES

12th January 2011 - FLOODS ENGULF QUEENSLAND FACILITIES

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