New Rugby Park facility officially opened by Prime Minister #Crusaders

Dec 10 • General News, New Zealand, Super Rugby • 1495 Views • Comments Off on New Rugby Park facility officially opened by Prime Minister #Crusaders

The new training home of Canterbury Rugby and the Crusaders was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. John Key, at a special opening celebration today.

The Prime Minister arrived at Rugby Park in style with local rugby legend Richie McCaw and Canterbury Rugby Chairman Trevor McIntyre in a helicopter. The Prime Minister then cut the ribbon and declared the new facilities officially opened.

The development at Rugby Park has been three faceted. The new player facilities, including the gym, player lounge, strategy room, changing room and medical rooms, went up last year. The Rugby Park field has also been undergoing a major renovation to increase its life and quality, including new drainage and irrigation. And the final stage in the development was the new office building that now houses all Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby staff (with the exception of the Tasman-based Academy staff).

Canterbury Rugby Chairman Trevor McIntyre said all involved with Canterbury Rugby and the Crusaders now had a facility to feel very proud of.

“This has been a long time in the planning so it was wonderful to see it all come to fruition and be officially opened today. Hawkins Construction and Athfield Architects have done a superb job and created a facility that we all feel very proud of,” Mr McIntyre said.

“Rugby Park is steeped in history, it has been owned by the CRFU since 1928 and it has been witness to some significant and memorable moments over its lifetime. So it is wonderful that we were able to build our new offices right here, at the training home of Canterbury Rugby and the Crusaders.”

Crusaders Chairman Grant Jarrold said the improved high performance player facilities now matched the professionalism of the teams using them.

“We went from having some of the best facilities in the country fifteen years ago to lagging behind all other New Zealand Super Rugby teams. We pride ourselves on being innovative and leading edge in all that we do, and our high performance facility now reflects that,” Mr Jarrold said.

Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby CEO Hamish Riach said that one of the biggest wins from the project was finally having all staff (other than the Tasman-based Crusaders Academy staff) under the same roof.

“For so long we have operated from two separate locations, with the team and team management based at Rugby Park but the entire administrative side of the business being at a separate location. Following the demolition of the old No3 stand at Lancaster Park to make way for the Deans Stand, and then issues from the earthquakes, which forced us out of our offices at the old AMI Stadium, the administrative staff have been forced to move offices three times. It has been hard on everyone, but that just makes today’s celebration even sweeter. We have incredibly committed and hard working staff here, so it is wonderful to see them all enjoying their new facility and enjoying finally being together in the one office building. I have no doubt that it will make us a more connected and efficient organisation,” Mr Riach said.

Today’s grand opening was well attended by members of the rugby community and special invited guests. The Christchurch Boys’ High School haka group performed, and guests were treated to a “Taste of Our Region” with all food coming from within the Canterbury or Crusaders region and much of the produce being supplied directly by players or staff.