McLean Park’s $4.9m re-turf overhaul
The end of Napier’s two-year international cricket hiatus is in sight as the $4.9 million McLean Park turf overhaul finally gets under way next month.
Originally estimated at $900,000 after the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy washout debacle in February last year, Napier City Council confirmed the updated price tag yesterday.
‘‘The scope of the project has changed quite significantly since it was first proposed,’’ said Jon Kingsford, the council’s infrastructure director.
Work is set to start after the Hurricanes-Sharks Super Rugby match next Friday, with the hitech hybrid turf being grown in Pukekohe, south Auckland, set to be harvested and transported in July, weather permitting. Hawke’s Bay’s third round Mitre 10 Cup match on September 2 is scheduled as the first fixture on the new surface.
All going to plan, the new dropin pitch will lowered into place in time for first-class cricket in November.
With New Zealand Cricket’s bidding process for 2018-19 host venues starting soon, Central Districts Cricket Association chief executive Pete de Wet hopes McLean Park is awarded at least two Black Caps limited overs matches. The first could be as soon as early January.
‘‘Given the number of white ball games coming up in the new season I’d like to believe we should get at least a couple of games. With it being a lit venue, it works in our favour and it’s a good venue for day-night cricket,’’ de Wet said.
Any cricket is good cricket for long-suffering Hawke’s Bay fans who haven’t seen an international match since the Twenty20 against Bangladesh in January 2017.
Drainage issues saw the Australia ODI abandoned despite hours with no rain, leaving a big crowd frustrated after a long wait. It was the third washout in as many years at McLean Park, and NZC then stripped the subsequent
‘‘I’d like to believe we should get at least a couple of games.’’
Central Districts chief executive Pete de Wet
South Africa ODI from the ground and confirmed a turf overhaul.
This season, Napier ODIs against Pakistan and England were pencilled in before delays to the re-turfing process due to the big wet in Auckland saw them awarded to Wellington and Mt Maunganui respectively.
Tours by Sri Bangladesh and India are scheduled next season, with five ODIs against India in World Cup year the main focus of the summer.
‘‘Certainly an India ODI would be fantastic,’’ de Wet said.
‘‘At this stage it’s critically important for CD cricket and for Napier to be getting international cricket. We’ve been starved over the last three years and a disappointing result in the game against Australia then losing the South Africa game was a bitter pill to swallow. We’re just looking forward to putting all that behind us.’’
De Wet quipped he would be there with a spade on April 9 to start the digging process if needed.
Kingsford said the majority of the $4.9m was the budget for the company contracted to complete the work, HG Sports Turf.
The $4.3m they quoted covered the removal of existing turf, inground infrastructure, drainage, irrigation, the playing surface, removal and return of goal posts.
The work will be funded using existing sportsground budget, renewals, financial contributions and loans.
‘‘A fully reconditioned McLean Park will put us back on track for first class and international cricket, rugby, the global entertainment business as well as Hawke’s Bay community events,’’ said council chief executive Wayne Jack.