Christchurch City Council spends $6.2m to buy Garrick Park from cash-strapped Woolston Club
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Christchurch City Council has paid $6.2 million to buy Garrick Park from the cash-strapped Woolston Club, in a move that will safeguard the club and the park’s future.
The sale also shores up the future of Cashmere Technical Football Club (CTFC), Lancaster Park Cricket Club and Woolston Boxing Club, the council says.
The 5.1-hectare site has a capital value of $1.3m and is zoned for housing, big enough for a subdivision of about 70 homes.
The Woolston Club put the land on the market in March, saying it was seeking an urgent sale as it was “facing sustained financial pressure”.
Seven formal bids were received from organisations including schools, church groups and housing developers.
Woolston Club president Bevan Ralfe said the decision to sell the park to the council was never just a commercial one, it was about safeguarding a legacy that has served generations of local families, athletes and volunteers.
The club put the land on the market to ensure it got a fair outcome for its members, after previously failing to conclude a deal with the council, Ralfe said.
When asked what it planned to do with the sale proceeds, Ralfe said it planned to reinvest the funds to provide financial stability for the club for generations to come.
“The longevity of our community and its members is paramount.”
CTFC chairperson Paul Edensor thanked Woolston Club members for selling to the council rather than private developers.
“That choice demonstrates real leadership and a commitment to preserving opportunities for community sport.”
The money to buy the land has come from the council’s existing sports field network budget and will have no effect on rates in the future, council citizens and community general manager Andrew Rutledge said.
He said supporting community sport was “extremely important” and a core service for the council.
“The acquisition of the sports fields and facilities at Garrick Park will allow the local sporting community to thrive in perpetuity and remain a shining light in community sport.”
Cricket and football have been played at Garrick Park for decades and has been a vital base for the likes of CTFC, Woolston Boxing Club and Lancaster Park Cricket Club, Rutledge said.
“The benefits that these clubs have provided their members and the local community have been immense over the years.”
Rutledge said Garrick Park was a high-quality asset and contributed to the existing network of sports fields across the city.
“By securing a locally accessible sports field, we’re reducing travel barriers, enabling children and families to participate in organised sport within their own community.”
Edensor said the outcome reflected a “deep understanding” of the importance of accessible green space.
“We are incredibly grateful to the council and its team for the hard work, commitment and vision they have shown in securing Garrick Memorial Park for community use.”
CTFC had previously urged its members who were also members of the Woolston Club to attend a decision meeting and vote.
In February, the Woolston Club board sent a confidential letter to members saying the club was “facing sustained financial pressure” in the face of significantly increased operating and maintenance costs, and revenue had not kept pace.
This led to ongoing financial strain, dwindling cash reserves, deferred essential maintenance and another upcoming financial loss, the letter said.
As well as trying to boost membership and revenue, the club would sell Garrick Park to raise cash for overdue repairs and maintenance, and to reinvest in the club “to stabilise the club’s financial position” and “provide working capital”, the letter said.
The club recently sold its adjacent bowling greens and pavilion for $750,000 to the St Albans Park Sports Club. The sale settled last year.
The Woolston Club opened in 1956 and has bar, restaurant, meeting, entertainment and sports facilities. It has about 2500 members.