Artificial turf on the cards for Ngā Puna Wai
23 Oct 2024
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Two new artificial turf fields are being planned for Christchurch.
Public feedback is open on the concept plan which would see artificial fields installed at Ngā Puna Wai, the first of 12 planned for the city over the next decade.
The work is part of the Sports Field Network Plan adopted by the Christchurch City Council in May.
Head of Parks Rupert Bool said the Council worked closely with Sports Canterbury and regional sports organisations on the plan with one of its key outcomes being installing artificial sports turfs throughout the city.
“Our sports fields are used so well used by players from different codes, especially in winter so while it’s great to see so many people out there playing, the fields are often damaged and closed in the wet weather restricting their use for games and trainings,” he said.
“That’s not the case with artificial turfs - They enable all-weather use, provide a consistent playing surface and support high, year-round use by different codes.”
Mr Bool said they will also have floodlights, meaning sports can be used for evening games and training.
The plan also includes a new entrance to the facility built off Wigram Road, 168 car parks, a changing facility, stormwater basin and native planting.
The parcel of land at 141 and 189 Wigram Road at Ngā Puna Wai was chosen as an existing Council facility, in a low residential area.
Public feedback is open on plans to turn land on Wigram Road into artificial sports fields.
It is currently undeveloped grazed pasture, however construction on a parks maintenance depot also on site is about to begin.
Public feedback on the plan will be considered by the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board which will make the decision to adopt the Ngā Puna Wai sports field landscape plan.
Timing of construction will depend on the outcome of the Annual Plan.
Main image: Artificial sports fields at English Park.
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