Lancaster Park, as it was, is now history

Since the earthquakes, Christchurch's premier sporting venue has been derelict and become overgrown and unkempt.

As it lay abandoned, a temporary replacement was built at Addington.  

Now a new report has concluded that it will cost too much for it to be restored to its former state.  

The Council has been told the cost will be $250 million and that cannot be justified.

What happens now is uncertain - the council will look at the possibility of demolishing what remains of the stands, and then look at future options.  These include a reserve, or park , or even a multi-use indoor structure similar to Dunedin's Forsyth Barr.

No timeline has been set down for future decisions. But what has now been confirmed is that Lancaster Park as it was - the home of Canterbury rugby and cricket - will not be what it once was. 

Newshub.

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