Fresh lines on Lancaster Park are ready for the next generation of sporting fans.
"It's hugely exciting, just look at this fanastic green space and what it can do for the community," says Lancaster Park Cricket Club president Ric Horsfall.
Christchurch City Council has spent more than $4 million redeveloping the site into a green space and sports field.
"People are excited about the opportunity to create new memories here, building on the tradition and history of the past," said councillor Yani Johanson.
Junior cricket, rugby and football will play on the grounds for the first time, since the stadium closed after the 2011 earthquakes.
"It's going to be brilliant for them to enjoy leisure activities on this famous ground," said Horsfall.
The famous ground has been home to some of the country's biggest sporting moments.
"I think of Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield era and, cricket, I think of Nathan Astle's very rapid 222 and New Zealand's first cricket test victory in 1974," said sports historian Greg Ryan.
Lancaster Park's namesake Benjamin Lancaster first opened the grounds in 1881.
"It was ploughed up and planted in potatoes, partly a fundraising measure and partly a First World War economy measure," said Ryan.
It's made history.
"Australiasia won the Davis Cup on the outfield in 1911, Peter Snell set a record here in 1962," said Ryan.
It's much loved.
"My best memory would be U2, and jumping up on roofs and watching concerts that were here," said Johanson.
"When the Aussies played the Blackcaps and Brendon McCullum hit an amazing 100 that we've never seen anything like it before on that ground," said Horsfall.
But now the site is being returned to the community.
"This is just the beginning," said Horsfall.
"This is a place where dreams can be built," said Johanson.
Great dreams will again be built on great memories.
