Parks and playgrounds  |  31 Oct 2023

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Sports fans will once more be welcomed into Lancaster Park through the historic Memorial Gates on Stevens Street.

The gates have been refurbished after being damaged in the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes and will be formally rededicated by Mayor Phil Mauger at a community event on Armistice Day, Saturday 11 November, at 12.30pm.  

Christchurch Memorial RSA President Dennis Mardle says the gates were built on Stevens Street in 1924 to commemorate the sacrifice of Canterbury athletes during World War I.

“We’re inviting the community to join us in one minute’s silence to honour them as part of the rededication of the memorial,” says Mr Mardle.   

Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge says the refurbishment started in 2021 as part of the wider Lancaster Park redevelopment project.  

“Lancaster Park is such an iconic part of Christchurch. Generations of Cantabrians have such strong memories associated with this place and we’ve been working to make sure that history is preserved and celebrated,” says Mr Rutledge. 

The Council is also unveiling an ‘Arc of History’ installation, a series of panels that showcase the unique story of Lancaster Park.  

“The images shown on the Arc of History have been sourced from various collections from across the country. From Peter Snell’s 800m record to U2 playing to a crowd of 60,000, the arc captures a range of sporting and cultural moments from the past 130 years.

“Special guests with links to Lancaster Park have been invited to reveal the 12 panels of the Arc of History to the public. We are hoping to have many of the people depicted in the Arc of History, or their family representatives, involved in the unveiling.

“Members of the Victory Park Board, a group of volunteers who maintained Lancaster Park for many years, have also been invited to participate,” says Mr Rutledge. 

The Arc of History was developed in response to community feedback.  

The event will take place at the Memorial Gates on Stevens Street, from 12.30pm on Saturday 11 November. The community are invited to attend. Parking will be available of Lismore Street, Wilsons Road North and Stevens Street.  

Learn more about the Lancaster Park redevelopment project at ccc.govt.nz/Lancaster-park and get all the details about the event here.