Celebrity Cricket Match Kicks Off Fundraising for New Pavilion

A celebrity cricket match will take place at St Leonards Park on February 5, starting at 15:00. The event aims to launch a fundraising campaign for a new sports pavilion, replacing the existing structure that no longer meets safety standards. Leading the celebrity lineup is Scott Robertson, head coach of the All Blacks, joined by notable figures such as Canterbury sports personality Robbie Deans, Magicians pace bowler Gabby Sullivan, and former Black Fern Helen Mahon-Stroud. The event will be hosted by former White Fern Lesley Murdoch.

Amy Carter, the campaign lead, expressed enthusiasm for the match, stating, “It’s a great way to celebrate our community as well as have a bit of fun and raise some cash.” She indicated that more athletes would be announced closer to the event, heightening anticipation.

In November 2024, the Waihoro-Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board approved Sumner Sports Pavilion Inc’s request to renew its lease at St Leonards Park and to demolish the existing pavilion to facilitate a new construction. Since that decision, a project team has been diligently working on the fundraising campaign, advancing the design process, and securing necessary resource consent, which was granted in August 2025.

The renovation project is estimated to cost approximately $3 million. According to Carter, the group has already invested around $500,000 into the project and is actively seeking additional funding through grants, crowdfunding, and events. Ideally, demolition of the current pavilion will begin immediately after the 2026 rugby season, contingent upon fundraising success.

Carter emphasized the urgent need for an upgraded pavilion, stating it has been required since before recent earthquakes. “It’s just no longer fit for purpose and it’s far from meeting seismic strengthening requirements as well,” she noted.

The new pavilion will cater to a broader audience, including changing rooms for women, match officials, and individuals with disabilities, along with a commercial kitchen. The conceptual design has been completed, and the team is now focused on developing detailed plans in preparation for a building consent application.

The project contractor, Jim the Builder, has committed to an open-book approach, allowing community resources and materials to be utilized to help reduce costs. The aim is for the new pavilion to function as a versatile facility, providing space for local sports clubs and community groups that currently lack a permanent home.

“We want the facility to be utilized as much as possible,” Carter concluded, highlighting the importance of community engagement in the project’s success.