16 Apr 2018

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A community organisation wants to lease sections of Rawhiti Domain to develop areas for sport and recreation in the city’s east.

“Public feedback is now being sought over the lease and licence application by Eastern Community Sports and Recreation (ECSR) to use parts of the Christchurch City Council-owned reserve,” Council Head of Parks Brent Smith says.

“Consultation closes on Friday, 18 May.”

Have your say on the proposal.

The proposed canopy for Rawhiti Domain. Photo: Creative

The proposed open-sided canopy for Rawhiti Domain. Photo: Creative Intentions

Eastern Community Sports and Recreation has sought a lease over the four existing tennis courts and club building, the sand volleyball court and an area south of the court.

Working alongside several local clubs, the organisation says it aims to provide “affordable and accessible” programmes in the eastern suburbs. It plans to self-fund the proposed development.

The organisation also hopes that the Council will gift the former tennis pavilion to the group.

“Eastern Community Sports and Recreation proposes to install a multi-sport surface, fencing around three tennis courts and construct an open-sided canopy building, with additional lighting over the courts,” Mr Smith says.

“It also plans to upgrade and fence the volleyball court, and install a radio-controlled car track.

“New Brighton Cricket Club is part of ECSR but proposes to use its existing lease to erect temporary buildings on the former club site in the short term.”

Changing rooms and facilities are included in the organisation’s long-term plans.

Council staff will host drop-in events to discuss the proposal.

These will be held on Saturday, 5 May from 10am to 2pm at the New Brighton markets and Tuesday, 8 May from 11am to 1pm and Tuesday, 15 May from 3pm to 5pm at the New Brighton Library.

Following consultation, a staff report will go to the Coastal-Burwood Community Board.

The Board is expected to make a decision by August.

The community group’s founding and affiliated members include the New Brighton cricket, netball, rugby and radio-controlled car clubs, the Parklands Christchurch United Softball Club, Christchurch Redbirds Baseball and the Guardians of Rawhiti.