Templeton land could meet burial and sporting needs

Christchurch City Council-owned land in Templeton could provide the answer to the city’s long-term need for more burial space and for a large sports park.

The Council owns about 100 hectares of land at 173 Maddisons Road.

On Thursday, the Council agreed staff should begin drafting a development plan for the land that allows for about two-thirds of it to be used as a cemetery and for the remaining third to be used as a sports park.

Most of Christchurch’s existing cemeteries are at, or nearing capacity, so there is a need for a new cemetery.

Christchurch also has a shortage of large sports parks that can accommodate multiple sports and recreation activities and large-scale tournaments and events in one location.

“The land at Templeton is suited to both cemetery and sports use and the location is ideal as there has been a population shift westward since the earthquakes,’’ says Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge.

“The Council is legally required to provide for community burial needs and we have been looking at possible cemetery sites across the city.  A new cemetery on the land at Templeton could potentially provide for the city’s burial needs for at least 60 years.

“We have also been working on a Sports Facilities Network Plan that identifies sport facility needs across the district for the next 30 years. Through that work, we have identified the need for an additional large sports park to service the increasing demand in the south west of Christchurch,’’ Mr Rutledge says.

“We believe both needs can be met at Templeton and staff will now begin the process of drafting a development plan for the site. The community will be invited to have input into this process.

“Once the draft development plan has been prepared, the Council will carry out a formal consultation process so the public will have a chance to give their feedback on whether this land should be used for a cemetery and sports use,’’ Mr Rutledge says.