The Vision – The Construction
The widespread support from the Canterbury and New Zealand’s cricket community for adopting and adapting Hagley Oval is well-founded.
The benefit of developing at the existing established ground and facility at Hagley Park is clear, and the Oval’s central location makes it ideal. A central location is superb for both game and city. The accessibility and convenience of a central location encourages ongoing support and enthusiasm for the game, while features and attractions within a city, such as an international cricket ground, contribute to the city’s overall personality, culture and appeal.
Throughout the world many of the most successful and popular test and international grounds are centrally located. Examples of these are New Zealand’s own Basin Reserve in Wellington and the redeveloped Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Test and international cricket at Hagley Oval will contribute to the new future of Christchurch for the people of the city, and provide an outstanding opportunity to showcase Christchurch to visitors and a wide national and international television viewing audience, even extending to sponsorship opportunities.
The vision is for a sympathetic development that will enhance the beauty of the current Hagley Oval, complementing the existing facility and elevating it to a high quality, international-standard venue.
It will celebrate Canterbury’s cricketing past and herald its future. The ground is set against the stunning natural backdrop of the well-established trees and fields of Hagley Park. It will be encircled by a low level, rolling embankment. The heritage Umpires Pavilion will become a focal point of the ground.
The pavilion will be built in a style consistent with the Hagley Oval setting. It will include players’ changing rooms and dining, media and the Lexus of Christchurch members lounge viewing facilities. A new, international-standard quality cricket block has been developed on the Oval and first-class cricket has already been played on this block.
A newly developed outfield has also been completed and a picket fence will encircle the ground. The ground will provide excellent spectator viewing and enhance spectator enjoyment of the game.
The Pavilion will provide an outstanding community facility which will be available for community groups all year round. The Pavilion will be available for other sport codes providing much needed toilet and changing facilities.
View a sample of Athfield Architects Plans
