Hagley Park and Test Cricket – In February 2011, CRRA responded to reports that the Christchurch City Council was considering allowing changes to be made to Hagley Park to accommodate test cricket to be played there. CRRA wrote to Mayor Parker:

February 14, 2011

Our Association is emphatically opposed to any changes whatsoever being made to Hagley Park to allow for test cricket. The Association fully supports the playing of amateur club cricket on the Park. The ratepayers of Christchurch, however, have contributed hugely to the development of AMI stadium where professional 50 over and 20/20 games are currently played and also to Queen Elizabeth II Park where, again, 50 over and 20/20 games are currently played.

If Canterbury Cricket finds that AMI stadium, for whatever reason, does not satisfy its conditions for the playing of test cricket then it should use its own funds and work collaboratively with the Christchurch City Council to enhance the cricket area of QE II Park or, alternatively, find another ground such as Lincoln.

Hagley Park is for all the citizens of Christchurch and no part of it should ever be, for any period, the exclusive preserve of a commercial organisation which is very capable of funding a test venue from its own and New Zealand Cricket’s income streams.