Is the bell tolling for pavilion — and first-class cricket — at Pukekura Park?
First-class cricket at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park — a ground once described by cricketing bible Wisden as being among the six best venues in the world — could be about to be hit for six.
As part of the council’s Longterm Plan (LTP), ratepayers are being asked to decide whether to fork out $16.3 million to replace the earthquake-prone Bellringer Pavilion to meet the requirements of top-level players — or risk stumps being called on the venue.
Cricket has been played at Pukekura Park since the 1890s, with first-class matches held since the 1950s and the park hosting a men’s World Cup match in 1992.
Famed for its steep terraces, short boundaries and idyllic bushsetting, it got the Wisden accolade in 2007, and UK newspaper the Telegraph included it in a list of the 14 most beautiful cricket grounds in the world a decade later.
But New Zealand Cricket appealed against the dilapidated conditions of the Bellringer Pavilion
in 2022. Taranaki Cricket general manager Ryan Evans said there was lengthy list of gripes about the facility, which was built in 1924.
“The changing rooms are too small. They are not really fit for purpose for modern professional sport.
“And another factor is around some of the associated facilities like media facilities, match officials’ facilities, dining facilities, that kind of thing. They’re just not really where they need to be for modern professional sport.”
Evans said Pukekura Park without first-class cricket did not bear thinking about.
“A day on the terraces at Puke Park has been something I’ve enjoyed since childhood, and I think that would be the case for many thousands of Taranaki people.
“One of the things that stands out for me is just how much people love this ground as a place to play as place to watch. It’s a special place with special feelings.”
Evans believed Pukekura Park would be a perfect venue for women’s internationals, but even he baulked at the cost of what he described as a “gold-plated” redevelopment.
“Even within the Taranaki cricket community, it would be fair to say there have been some eyebrows raised over the cost. Taranaki Cricket would definitely be open exploring what other options might look like, but they haven’t been put to us as yet.”
That would be music to the ears of councillor Gordon Brown.
“One item that’s caught everyone’s attention [in the LTP consultation document], I think, is the shifting of the Bellringer Pavilion.
That gets pulled down at Pukekura Park — one of the best six cricket grounds in the world — but a price tag of $16.3m is unacceptable.”
Results of a preliminary survey of 300 residents revealed they were split on the Bellringer Pavilion proposal — 41 per cent were in favour of the $16m rebuild, while 36 per cent want a basic $1m repair that would put first-class cricket at the venue at risk.
Options in the LTP consultation document included demolishing the pavilion and not replacing it or delaying work.