In a visit to the Rangitata electorate last Friday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was given the honour of officially opening the pavilion section of the new $8million sports ground.
South Canterbury Rugby president and historian Jeremy Sutherland said he believed Mr Luxon was the first prime minister to visit the park since it was opened in 1878.
An opening ceremony was held at which Mr Luxon was given a full tour of the new development and then unveiled a plaque before speaking to a large gathering of representatives from South Canterbury schools, sporting clubs, businesses and local bodies.
Mr Luxon was full of praise for the new facility.
"This is an absolutely fantastic facility to have in the region.
"My father was born here in Timaru and I remember coming here a lot when he was a sales rep staying in different motels on the main drag.
"To think about how the city is, actually, today, it’s going forward big-time and I think it’s a pretty exciting place.
"This is a big part of strengthening it and helping it take the next step forward."
Mr Luxon also urged South Canterbury to shoot for another four Meads Cup victories.
He said he believed it was time for the Ranfurly Shield to come back to the region after a 50-year absence.
"For myself it’s a real privilege to be here on behalf of New Zealand Rugby and personally I had the opportunity to run out in the middle here a couple of times a long, long time ago.
"Having experienced the changing facilities under the old stand and then having a walk through the new facilities under here, I truly get how transformational this will be, not only for South Canterbury but for the community.
"This is much more than just another rugby facility. This is a facility with gender-neutral changing rooms and will be available to the wider community for multiple sports.
"In terms of the repeated requests I’ve had about international fixtures, I can say that New Zealand Rugby is very supportive of working with South Canterbury to have the opportunity to host high-level representative fixtures here, so watch this space."
Rangitata MP James Meager said he was very thankful to Mr Luxon for his visit.
"When I heard he was on his way down to visit the electorate the first thing that came to mind was trying to get him through here to see the amazing project that’s been in place.
"I want to acknowledge Gary and the team from Rooney’s [Rooney Group] but also the team Thompson’s [Thompson Design] who have been masterful at putting this particular building together.
"It’s a real example of what you can do with design and build these days."
Mr Meager also suggested the idea of a Hanan Shield challenge or a South Canterbury invitational match against the parliamentary rugby team so he could get his "boots on one last time".
Plans to hold an official full-ground opening on July 20, including the South Canterbury club rugby finals, have had to be postponed.
South Canterbury Rugby chief executive Tim Hyde-Smith said they were having to push the grand opening back to September.
"While the pavilion at Fraser Park was opened, the actual full ground opening will now be on September 14.
"We are currently waiting on the grass to grow which is embedded within the artificial grass.
"The grand opening will showcase a variety of sports that can be played at the park along with celebrating the many cultural participants that play and embrace our game."
He said the grand opening would also feature the first home game of the Heartland season, with South Canterbury taking on North Otago.
The club finals would now be played at the top qualifiers’ ground, depending on suitability.
Mr Luxon’s visit to the electorate also included stops at Ashburton College, Ashburton Ruralco, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon in Washdyke and a stroll through the Matariki Night Market.
