Riccarton Park Land Project
The Christchurch Racecourse Reserve Trustees (‘CRRT’) and the Canterbury Jockey Club (‘CJC’) welcomes the approval of the Riccarton Racecourse Development Scheme by Cabinet.
This is the most significant step in a project that had its beginnings with a meeting held with then Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson back in 2010 and continued with Dr Nick Smith ( also in his role as Minister For Building and Housing) and Maggie Barry the current Minister.
Post earthquake pressure for housing saw an appetite to progress and evolve the CRRT proposal to be able to make use of some areas of land at the Riccarton Park Racecourse not traditionally used for, or best contributing to the sport of thoroughbred horse racing.
The project gained full momentum and progressed to this stage of the Development Scheme with the collaborative support of Ngai Tahu Property Ltd from 2013.
The forebears of the current CRRT and CJC could never have foreseen the changes and influences which have come to bear on the sport and industry of thoroughbred racing. Neither could they have foreseen the changes that have evolved in the growth and spread of Christchurch City and Canterbury or envisaged the need for the modern racing club to derive income from more than the traditional racing source. But they did understand the need for the land, now commonly known as Riccarton Park Racecourse, to be established and to be for the betterment, promotion, and health of thoroughbred racing.
Racing Clubs and Racecourses in the modern competitive environment need to drive non-traditional income streams and maximise the use of their assets to complement racing industry funding and historical revenue sources.
“The Riccarton Racecourse Development Scheme provides the CRRT with major opportunities in the future to generate income to enhance the Canterbury Jockey Club, Riccarton Park and the sport of thoroughbred racing for the benefit of racing stakeholders such as owners, trainers and jockeys” said CRRT Chairman Peter Cordner.
