Lancaster Park redevelopment kicks off

The $3.6 million redevelopment of Christchurch’s Lancaster Park site is underway to turn the place of sporting legend into a green recreational space and community sports fields. It is likely the new generation of sporting legends will begin playing there from early next year.

This first stage of the redevelopment is expected to take around nine months and includes cleaning up and levelling the site and removing the foundations of the stadium demolished in 2019. Topsoil will be put down and grass sown for new rugby, football and cricket sports fields.

Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge says this is a significant milestone following the loss of the legendary Lancaster Park stadium.

“Lancaster Park has long held a special place in many Cantabrians’ hearts. After a proud 130-year history of hosting sporting events of all levels before the stadium came down, it’s fitting that this park will now get a new lease of life as a community sports and recreation area,” he says.

Mr Rutledge says a spatial plan, which was developed in response to community need for more recreational areas and sports grounds in the area, is being used as a guide for the work.
Further development signalled in the spatial plan will occur as funding becomes available. Significant funding is proposed in the Draft Long Term Plan 2021 to 2031, due to be signed off by council next month.

The Lancaster Park Memorial Gates on Stevens Street, which were built to commemorate the sacrifice of Canterbury athletes during World War One, will be protected during the redevelopment work.