The racecourse land may eventually be used to cater for teams from the neighbouring Queenstown Lakes district, which is also struggling for grounds.
The Cromwell Community Board decided this week it would consult on changes to be made to sport fields in the town.
There are four full-sized sports fields in Cromwell — two in Alpha St for football and two at Anderson Park for rugby.
A report to the board said in the medium term an additional four field equivalents would be required and in the longer term an additional eight field equivalents would be needed.
Central Otago District Council community experience group manager David Scoones said there had been a suggestion to use land at Cromwell College but it could not be used.
People could not find grounds to practise on and the population was growing at a quicker pace than predicted. The population was expected to reach 12,000 in the next few years, well ahead of 2050 which previous reports had predicted.
In the proposal, the recommended design was for Anderson Park to expand the hockey turf area, with the addition of a half-sized hockey training turf beside the existing full-sized turf.
The field would be reoriented slightly from its current alignment to allow the hockey turf to be added to the park and a stronger physical connection between the Cromwell Sports Club and the premier field.
The cricket oval would also be relocated to remove the clash with the rugby field. It would lead to the wicket having five lawn pitches in rotation. The existing cricket practice nets would also have to move.
The Alpha St reserve would retain its present layout and clubrooms would be upgraded to allow for showers.
Following the reconfigurations of Anderson Park and Alpha St reserve, the racecourse reserve would have four full-sized playing fields to meet demand.
Also included would be lighting, changing rooms and showers and formed carparking within the site.
In the long term the sports field provision at the racecourse would be increased to eight full-sized playing fields to meet demand.
The report said the racecourse at present did have some challenges with several older buildings.
