Iconic New Zealand rugby stadium now a park after devastating earthquake forced 38,620-seater venue to be abandoned

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A STADIUM once feared by the British and Irish Lions has been turned into a recreational PARK after a deadly earthquake left it abandoned.

The turn-stiles at Lancaster Park in Christchurch, New Zealand were closed for good after the devastating quake hit on 22 February 2011.

In this May 24, 2017 photo, weeds grow on what was the playing pitch at the 2011 earthquake damaged Lancaster Park in Christchurch, New Zealand. For the British and Irish Lions, most memories of Christchurch's Lancaster Park are bitter ones. From their first appearance there in 1930, when they lost 13-10, to their most-recent in 2005, when they beaten 21-3, the 38,000 stadium in the east of the South Island city was seldom a venue of success. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)Lancaster Park was closed after a devastating earthquake in 2011
 A worker is seen walking past rubble during a media tour of Lancaster Park on September 10, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Being redeveloped for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the stadium was closed because of the severe damage sustained during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It is expected the deconstruction of Lancaster Park will be completed in December this year. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)The structure was finally demolished in 2019
 General view of the Paul Kelly Stand during a media tour of Lancaster Park on September 10, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Being redeveloped for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the stadium was closed because of the severe damage sustained during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It is expected the deconstruction of Lancaster Park will be completed in December this year. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)Locals were left heartbroken after Lancaster Park was taken down piece-by-piece
//ccc.govt.nz/rec-and-sport/sports-grounds/lancaster-park/This is how the site looks now

The earthquake took 185 lives that day.

And the iconic stadium closed permanently due to damage sustained, before it was ultimately demolished in 2019.

It has since been transformed into a public recreational park with facilities for community sport, and was re-opened in June 2022.

Lancaster Park was the home of the Crusaders rugby union team and hosted Canterbury cricket games too, for more than 100 years.

But the 38,628-seater was forced to close after the tremor lifted the concrete piles under the stands and dropped them at the wrong angle.

The a dark grey syrup from the liquefaction that oozed through the surface essentially killed any hope of the venue returning to its former glory.

Liquefaction is a process that occurs when sediment loses strength during and earthquake and behaves like a fluid.

But the Crusaders’ fortunes changed when plans were announced to build a brand new INDOOR stadium in Christchurch.

  A general view of a lineout during the Rd 1 Super 14 rugby match between the Crusaders and the Highlanders at Jade Stadium February 11, 2006 in Christchurch, New Zealand.  (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)Lancaster Park once hosted international rugby and cricket games
an aerial view of a lush green field with buildings in the backgroundCHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL
It has now be turned into a park[/caption]

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The £315m Te Kaha Stadium, which translates to ‘One New Zealand’ is NOT on the same site as Lancaster Park – but 1.5 miles away.

But Google maps says it’s just a five-minute drive.

Rob Penney admits it is “emotional” to see construction of a new ground in central Christchurch, more than a decade on from the devastating earthquakes.

The new Crusaders manager said: “That ripped everyone’s lives apart here.

“We were unable to use the stadium after that and we ended up using Rugby Park and that was a great venue in the short-term and then the move to where the boys are now (Apollo Projects Stadium).

“It’s a little bit emotional really because it’s something the city has been crying out for, for a long time.”

Penney was Canterbury’s provincial coach when a first 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit during the early hours of 4 September 2010.

The final look of the façade and seating pattern at One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha has been revealed., , Local visual artist and graphic designer Morgan Darlison @kaitiakistudios (Ng¿i Tahu, Ng¿ti Porou, Tainui) was engaged by the Council to develop a range of works to feature throughout the new stadium., , Hear from Morgan and the inspiration behind the façade artwork and seating bowl design, link in bio., , #stadium #christchurchstadium #construction #christchurchnz #chchnz #onenewzealandstadiumThe new Te Kaha Stadium will be opened in 2026
The final look of the façade and seating pattern at One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha has been revealed., , Local visual artist and graphic designer Morgan Darlison @kaitiakistudios (Ng¿i Tahu, Ng¿ti Porou, Tainui) was engaged by the Council to develop a range of works to feature throughout the new stadium., , Hear from Morgan and the inspiration behind the façade artwork and seating bowl design, link in bio., , #stadium #christchurchstadium #construction #christchurchnz #chchnz #onenewzealandstadiumIt translates to ‘One New Zealand’ Stadium

Another 6.3-magnitude quake hit the following year.

The last sheets of the new Te Kaha Stadium will be installed in the north stand around the middle of 2025.

Crusaders’ chief executive Colin Mansbridge said he was confident the 25,000-seater will open in April 2026.

Crusaders membership holders for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons will automatically join a priority waitlist to secure a desired seat at Te Kaha.

Mansbridge added: “People have just been so excited about the arrival of Te Kaha.

“It’s an opportunity for them to get first dibs.”

This May 24, 2017 photo, shows the ticket sales office outside of the 2011 earthquake damaged AMI Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) in Christchurch, New Zealand. For the British and Irish Lions, most memories of Christchurch's Lancaster Park are bitter ones.From their first appearance there in 1930, when they lost 13-10, to their most-recent in 2005, when they beaten 21-3, the 38,000 stadium in the east of the South Island city was seldom a venue of success. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)The Stadium was formerly shut the day after the earthquake

City Infrastructure General Manager Brent Smith says the third stage of works is “the final piece of the puzzle”.

Lancaster Park was scheduled to host five pool matches and two quarter finals at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, won by the All-Blacks.

But Christchurch lost its rights to host the seven World Cup games in September 2011, as the city was too damaged to host fixtures.

Lancaster Park (also known as the AMI Stadium and Jade Stadium) was far from the only venue affected.

QEII Park, which hosted the 1974 Commonwealth Games, was also damaged beyond repair and demolition began in 2012.

Christchurch has gone over a decade without an international-quality ground.

Lancaster Park previously hosted 48 All Blacks test matches from 1913 to 2010.

The Lions’ were beaten 13-10 in their first appearance there in 1930, and lost 13-10 in lost their most recent in 2005.

First and last international games played at Lancaster Park

Rugby
1st test: NZ 5 Australia 16, 1913

Last test: NZ 20 Australia 10, 2010

Cricket
1st test: NZ v England, 1930. England won by 8 wickets

Last test: NZ v Sri Lanka, 2006. NZ won by 5 wickets.

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