© Wayne Calderwood Heavy snow caused the roof of Invercargill's Southland Stadium to collapse.
The weight of snow caused the roof on the main netball court to collapse at the multi-purpose and world-class Stadium Southland this morning.
Stadium Southland General Manager Nigel Skelt said it was lucky it did not happen during a busy time of week.
"We've never had a snow fall this big before, in our history. We've been going ten years and unfortunately in this instant it just hasn't been able to sustain it.
"The result could've been far more catastrophic."
The international complex is home to many sports, including the Southern Steel netball team.
The team's coach Robyn Broughton said she was devastated by the news.
"I'm really sad, because it's the most wonderful thing we've got here. I consider, and I'm just pleased the velodrome didn't go as well."
The stadium's now looking at a long and major rebuild.
Andy Fraser from 45 Degrees South Weather said the snow probably had a high water content, making it heavier.
"Being wet, it will be heavy, and that's probably what's done the damage to those various places where they've had roof problems."
The higher water content is simply the effect of the air aloft being nearer to zero degrees (than if there is drier snow, which is the result of much colder tropospheric temperatures). Thus the snow partially melts as it falls, increasing the liquid water content.