Providing a comprehensive range of educational, sport, recreation, community and commercial opportunities.

Rolleston is one of the most important growth areas in Canterbury. The town’s population is expected to increase rapidly within 20 years. This growth is putting large pressure on the existing recreation facilities in Selwyn, and in particular Rolleston.

A new central sport and recreation base is required to meet this exponential demand. Foster Recreation Park will be the largest sport and recreation park in the Selwyn District and will provide for the sport and recreation needs of the district for around the next 20 years.

Location

Canterbury

Project team

Jane Rennie

Worked with

Global Leisure Group

Project date

2012 - ongoing

Awards

Best Practice Award | Excellence in Strategic Planning and Guidance | NZPI Annual Awards

The Foster Recreation Park design plan is based around Four Hub areas; 1) Facility Sports Hub, 2) Outdoor Sports Hub, 3) Recreation Hub and 4) Events Hub.

These Hubs are designed to be used for a range of activities – for sports training and games, for community events and concerts, for exercising dogs and for walking and cycling. A wide variety of outdoor and indoor sports and activities will be provided for, with flexibility to include new sports and activities as demand changes and develops. Foster Recreation Park will also have a large children’s play area which will become the premier playground in Selwyn.

In total, over 20 playing fields can be provided at Foster Recreation Park. An extensive network of walkways and cycleways join the four hubs together and provide safer off-road walk and cycle routes. Trees, plantings and seats will be included in the park to create an attractive environment for people to enjoy. Spaces have been designed to be multipurpose and we want to encourage sports groups to share spaces and facilities so that the community receives the best value for money from its investment.