Christchurch raceway eyes old stadium site for housing, public spaces

Christchurch’s Addington Raceway is progressing with long-term planning for its 24-hectare site, while eyeing what was once the city’s temporary stadium.

The course has been home to harness racing for more than a century and sits alongside the city’s temporary Apollo Projects Stadium.

Now, long-term planning will explore how parts of the raceway site could be developed for housing, commercial development, community facilities, public spaces and improved transport connections.

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) said it would also welcome discussions about the future of the adjoining, council-owned Apollo Projects Stadium site if Christchurch City Council was also on board.

Harness racing has been hosted at Addington Raceway for more than a century. Photo / Photosport

NZMTC chief executive Brian Thompson said they were exploring how the wider Addington precinct could evolve – but that doesn’t mean taking a step away from racing.

“Addington has been synonymous with harness racing for more than a century. Our responsibility is to make sure it remains at the heart of harness racing for generations to come,” Thompson said.

“We have 24 hectares in an outstanding location close to central Christchurch. The opportunity is to make better use of that asset to create sustainable revenue for the club while also creating something of real value for Christchurch.

“This isn’t about moving away from racing. It’s about giving Addington the financial strength to keep investing in racing, our facilities and the experience we provide.”

Thompson said the club was focused on securing Addington’s long-term future and would also “welcome” discussions on the future of Apollo Projects Stadium.

However, Thompson said the club also recognised Apollo Projects Stadium is “a council-owned asset and decisions about its future rest entirely with council”.

“If council determines at some point in the future that the land is surplus to its requirements, we would welcome a discussion about the options, whether that involved acquisition, a land exchange or another partnership arrangement,” Thompson said.

“A co-ordinated approach could potentially achieve better outcomes for transport, infrastructure, housing and public spaces across the wider precinct.

“It’s all about the community, and the conversations we would need to have would be with the community and council and different stakeholders to take the best approach.”

Christchurch City Council has been approached for comment.

The planning comes as the New Zealand racing industry considers its infrastructure following the release of Project Stamina, a national review undertaken for Harness Racing New Zealand and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, with the support of TAB NZ.

The review proposes concentrating future investment into fewer, higher-quality racing venues to help create a more financially sustainable and resilient racing network.

It identified Addington Raceway as having an important ongoing metropolitan role in the future harness racing network.

Aerial view of Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo / LINZ

NZMTC has begun discussions with Christchurch City Council about the long-term vision and planning, infrastructure and transport requirements associated with it.

Despite this, no final decisions have been made on individual developments, and redevelopment would occur progressively over many years.

That will involve detailed technical assessments, further engagement with Christchurch City Council and a formal statutory process providing opportunities for public submissions and feedback.

Thompson said it was “much more than a raceway development”.

“We have a significant piece of strategically located urban land,” he said.

“There is an opportunity to provide more housing close to central Christchurch, encourage private investment and employment, improve connections through the area and create new public spaces while retaining a nationally important racing and events destination.

“We believe those things can complement each other.”

The next formal step is expected to be lodging a private plan change in late September, seeking changes to the zoning of parts of the Addington Raceway site.

Thompson said after council processes and community consultations the potential start line could still be years away.

“We’re not announcing a development that starts tomorrow. We’re setting out a long-term vision for what Addington could become.”

NZMTC chair John Hartnell said Project Stamina and Addington’s long-term planning were separate pieces of work but shared a clear focus on long-term sustainability.

“Project Stamina confirms Addington has an important place in the future of New Zealand racing,” Hartnell said.

“Our responsibility is to make sure Addington has the financial strength, infrastructure and facilities to fulfil that role.

“Unlocking the value of parts of our property over time provides an opportunity to create sustainable revenue that can be reinvested in racing and events.”