Nine-year-old stadium demolished in Shenyang
A massive stadium that cost 800 million yuan to build in 2003 was demolished on Sunday in Shenyang, Liaoning province, triggering public calls about wasted money and resources.
The Green Island Sports Centre was once heralded as the largest indoor soccer stadium in Asia. But authorities decided to raze the stadium because it was not used enough, the China Youth Daily reported.
The cost of demolition was estimated at less than 5 million yuan (HK$6.1 million), according to the Liaoshen Evening News. The explosions lasted eight seconds. With 380,000 square metres of steel, it was the first large steel structure intentionally demolished with explosives on the mainland.
The Liaoshen Evening News reported in 2003 that the stadium, accommodating 33,000 spectators, was likely to become a Shenyang landmark. The artificial turf alone cost more than US$1 million.
However, the sports centre has seen little use, as it is located in the suburbs and competes with several other such centres in Shenyang.
Authorities said the site would be used for real estate development.
Some residents questioned who approved planning and construction of such an expensive facility, as well as who should be held accountable for a big waste of resources.
