No cash for Lancaster

A multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Lancaster Park is still years away. Christchurch City Council has released proposals to convert the 6-hectare park into three sports fields. It is likely to cost between $5 million and $7m but there is no money set aside in the council budget. Staff plan to seek funding in the 2022 long-term plan. Demolition of the quakedamaged stadium started in 2018 and is expected to finish by December. Its $20m budget has been revised down to $12m. Council head of parks Andrew Rutledge said any demolition savings would be used for the ‘‘initial phases’’ of the development. It is not clear why the money could not be used to fund the entire development. The site is protected by the Lancaster Park Land Vesting Act 2008, which restricts its use to cricket, rugby union and all other sports, recreation, public assembly and ancillary purposes.