After three seasons and more than $8 million, South Canterbury Rugby is finally back home.
The new Fraser Park multisport facility was officially opened on Saturday with a packed day of rugby and celebration.
The grand opening was scheduled to begin with a blessing at 9am but that was postponed to a later date.
A presidents grade tournament filled the remainder of the morning, with the Pleasant Point Mud Dogs and Waimate becoming the first two teams to make the trek up to the paddock through the Turley Tunnel.
Rangitata MP James Meager even laced up his boots for a run out with the Mud Dogs.
Also competing in the tournament were Old Boys, Celtic and Oamaru Old Boys.
The official opening ceremony began at 1pm, with South Canterbury Rugby Union president Jeremy Sutherland reading the names and stories of former South Canterbury Rugby representatives who died at war and whose names adorn the entranceway to the park.
Wreaths were laid in front of the Remembrance Boulevard and Flowers of the Forest and Last Post were played.
Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen and businessman Gary Rooney cut the ceremonial ribbon and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the day.
Mr Bowen spoke to the crowd in attendance about the importance of the park in South Canterbury and also addressed the news surrounding the closing of Alliance Group’s Smithfield meatworks plant.
Mr Rooney unveiled another plaque in honour of project redevelopment manager Phillipa Guerin, who like Mr Rooney himself, had played an important part in the redevelopment’s success.
South Canterbury then took to the field for their Heartland match against Ngāti Porou East Coast and despite a nervy start, the 3000-strong crowd were sent home happy with a 32-15 South Canterbury victory.
Years of hard work shown at opening day
Saturday marked the official opening of the Fraser Park redevelopment. Courier reporter Connor Haley talks to some of the key individuals involved with the project about what it took to get to opening day.
Fraser Park trust chairman Brent Isbister said it had been quite the journey.
‘‘We looked around at the stadium 10 years ago and thought we needed to make some changes to improve usage.
‘‘Four to five years ago we really got serious about making some changes at Fraser Park, the playing surface wasn’t good enough to use all the time. The changing facilities were not suitable for the new generation of players and we had some earthquake issues in one of the stands.
‘‘Those things combined meant we needed to start redeveloping the park and that’s what we’ve done.’’
He said finally seeing people out on the field was what the project was all about.
‘‘It’s about using the facility, having our community here, it’s exciting to see play on the park and going into the changing rooms and smelling the linament.’’
There was still a little bit more money to raise, he said.
‘‘We’re almost there, if we can get ourselves another $200,000 that would be quite nice.
‘‘It’s been exciting to see a wide section of our community get involved, I can’t thank people and organisations enough.’’
Fraser Park redevelopment project manager Phillipa Guerin said it was great to have finally made it to opening day.
‘‘I was first approached in July 2018 with the prospect. It could be an exciting project to cater for many sports and events for Timaru.
‘‘It’s taken an awful long time to get the funding, consenting with councils, planning just to get things right but how good, we’re here today and a great team of people have put this together.’’
She said she had felt very supported throughout the project.
‘‘I think my family are pretty pleased we’re at the stage we’re at.
‘‘How good to be able to give back to your community and to be able to get this far.’’
The new facility would be massive for South Canterbury, she said.
‘‘It’s not just for multisport and not just for rugby, there are so many other events that can be held here — it’ll be a go to place for South Canterbury.’’
South Canterbury Rugby chief executive Tim Hyde-Smith said it was amazing to finally be in the park.
‘‘I came down here in January 2023 and came into the project, so to be able to be part of the journey has been absolutely awesome and now to finally see today happening is just magnificent.’’
He said the park would be a great facility for all levels of rugby in South Canterbury.
‘‘Not only just for rugby but all the other sports we want to encourage to come in and use the facility and grounds in the coming years.’’
He was very thankful for the efforts of Mrs Guerin.
‘‘She has been magnificent, with her drive, passion and dedication. We are here today and a lot of that is down to her.’’
Í South Canterbury Rugby Union president Jeremy Sutherland said Fraser Park was a very storied ground.
‘‘In 1878 when the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club purchased this from the Rhodes brothers, there was a group of men that all had rugby in common but also horse racing, cricket and athletics, so those minds together built what’s here.
‘‘Without George Hammersley at the head of it, this may never have happened. This patch on Otipua Rd and Church St was where they ended up and we’re still here.
‘‘There’s probably not a lot of grounds in New Zealand that have that longevity.’’
He still planned to open a museum underneath the old stand, he said.
‘‘We’ll probably start that in the summer. A lot of very high profile South Canterbury families have given us some pretty important memorabilia, an enormous collection of books, jerseys, ties and all sorts of interesting stuff.
‘‘We are very privileged to have it so therefore it’s our responsibility to look after and display it.’’
He said the park reopening was a monumental moment in the history of South Canterbury rugby.
‘‘Apart from what happens on a paddock, structurally this is probably the most important thing that has happened since 1878.
‘‘It gives us an assurance that we’re a permanent fixture.’’
