Taipei Municipal Stadium to host Universiade events
06/23/2015 By Taiwan Today
Taipei Municipal Stadium is to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2017 Summer Universiade following the decision June 22 by city Mayor Ko Wen-je to strip Taipei Dome of the events.
The 20,000-seat outdoor stadium, main venue for the 2009 Summer Deaflympics, is first choice for the ceremonies, with adjacent indoor Taipei Arena assuming a backup role in case of inclement weather.
“Application for the change of plan will be submitted to the International University Sports Federation [FISU] in July,” Ko said. “Detailed facility arrangements are expected to be finalized by March next year.”
The mayor announced the decision while chairing a Universiade coordination meeting at Taipei City Hall. He said the adjustments were made in line with the local government’s ongoing safety concerns surrounding the dome.
“Due to delays in construction and unresolved issues, we were forced to make alternative plans,” Ko said. “Public safety remains our top priority and we expect to work closely with FISU in ensuring the student games go off without a hitch.”
Taipei Dome was designated as the 2017 Summer Universiade’s main venue when the city won the right to host the event in 2011. Construction on the 40,000-plus seat stadium, as well as an accompanying high-rise office building, multiplex cinema and shopping complex, was partially suspended after a safety review released April 16 highlighted major concerns over public safety hazards resulting from a vastly expanded floor space.
According to Taipei City Government, existing facilities such as Taoyuan International, Tianmu and Xinzhuang baseball stadiums are sufficient to meet the needs of the sporting event. (YHC-JSM)
