Cricket set to return at Amberley’s Eastern Reserve

Cricket is set to find a new home in Amberley's Eastern Reserve, as the council plans to develop the area, including a potential play area, pump track and tennis courts.

The Hurunui District Council is revamping its reserves management plan, which helps shape how large green spaces are used in the region.

Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the new Eastern Reserve in Amberley, also known as the village green, attracted interest among the submissions on the plan.

Cricket is proposed to be the main sport at the four hectare Eastern Reserve, leaving the Amberley Domain as the main football ground.

An area has been set aside for other sports and it will include a children’s play area and a pump track.

There was potential for tennis courts, croquet and various other sports, as well as a modest sports pavilion.

Mayor Marie Black said the development of the Eastern Reserve was an opportunity to ‘‘bring our community together’’.

‘‘We have an ageing demographic, but it is not just older people.

‘‘But older [people] love to walk across and see little kids playing cricket.’’

Submitters noted the Amberley Cricket Club had played cricket at the Amberley Domain since the 1890s, but it had not been played for several years due to the overlapping season with football.

It meant children were travelling to Sefton and Rangiora to play cricket.

Submitters hoped a new cricket ground in the Eastern Reserve would revive interest in the game in the town.

The council received nearly 200 submissions during its consultation, which coincided with the Long Term Plan submissions process.

After two days of hearings and deliberations last week, Mr Dobbie said the process had been adjourned until August 6.

‘‘There is a lot of complexity in our reserves and how they work,’’ he said.

The Reserves Management Plan was adopted by the council in 2012, with the review beginning last year.

‘‘It is about setting a template. It is just a parcel of land at the moment," Mr Dobbie said.

‘‘There is growth in the town and new people come in and they might have a different view about how things should operate.

‘‘Communities change.’’

Submitters also advocated for outdoor areas for light exercise and fellowship for the growing elderly population.

Other submissions addressed other reserves in Cheviot, Hanmer Springs, Glenmark, Omihi, Leithfield, Waipara and other parts of the district.

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.