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Momentum is growing for a new all-purpose sports stadium to be built in Christchurch.Christchurch hasn't had a permanent stadium since Lancaster Park was damaged beyond repair in the devastating February 2011 earthquakes.

Since 2012 the Crusaders and Canterbury rugby team have been playing at the 'temporary' AMI Stadium near Addington Raceway. However in that time, the city missed out on Rugby World Cup matches in 2011 and an All Blacks test against the British and Irish Lions last year.

Christchurch has also so far not been allocated a home All Blacks test match this year, while Dunedin will host one of the three June tests against France.

READ MORE: Brian Ashby - Seven years on, where is Christchurch's new stadium?

Highlighting the issue has been music superstar Ed Sheeran's three sold-out concerts at Dunedin's covered Forsyth Barr Stadium which has been estimated to be worth around $30 million to the city.

Stadium advocate and NZOC member Barry Maister told Chris Lynch that if the city wants to bring in events - even bid for a Commonwealth Games - a covered stadium in the centre of the city is the best way forward.

"We believe that a regenerated city needs to have a facility that is genuinely multi-purpose.

"We could rebuild a rugby stadium that has a limited use, or we can take this opportunity to look a genuine multi-purpose arena, such as Dunedin has and is obviously benefiting from.

"There's a recognition that in the climate that we have, that having a roof, having a genuine spectator experience, and providing the possibility for a range of possibilities to exist is a logical upgrade on Lancaster Park."

Maister says the government has set aside a 'generous site' in the CBD which would provide further commercial to help fund the stadium.

LISTEN ABOVE AS BARRY MAISTER SPEAKS WITH CHRIS LYNCH