Kiwi cricketing legend Sir Richard Hadlee says a new multimillion dollar facility at Christchurch's Hagley Oval will benefit the next generation of cricketing stars.
File photo: Christchurch's Hagley Oval Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
The Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Centre officially opened its doors at a ceremony today.
The $4.7 million facility includes feature 3.6 metre cricket lanes with 20 metre run-ups, a 300 square metre mezzanine floor, changing rooms and a balcony facing the Hagley Oval.
Hadlee said he was honored for the facility to bear his name.
"Future Black Caps and White Ferns will walk through these doors as they start out on their cricketing journey," he said.
"This is where lifelong connections will be formed and dreams will begin."
Funding for the centre has benefitted from donations from the wider New Zealand cricket community, including the Sir Richard Hadlee Sports Trust, Sir Stephen Tindall, Glenn and Lynne Ritchie and Mark Stewart.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the facility was the first of its kind since the Canterbury earthquakes.
"Until now, our lack of an indoor facility has made it difficult for families having to travel to Lincoln for their young players to train and our teams to train to the best of their ability which puts pressure on the facilities in Lincoln and Rangiora," she said.
The Canterbury Cricket Trust (CCT) said the new centre completed the final piece of the Hagley Oval cricket precinct, the result of more than two decades of planning.
CCT chair Lee Robinson said it was about securing the region's cricketing future.
"It will give cricketers of all ages and skill levels world-class facilities to train in.
"But it's more than that.
The centre is versatile, and we can't wait to see other sporting codes and community groups utilise this space."