Pukekura Park Cricket Nets a Step Closer

Tonight (Tuesday) New Plymouth District Council’s Policy Committee recommended the approval of a request from Taranaki Cricket Association (TCA) to install cricket nets in Pukekura Park alongside Fillis Street.

The recommendation will be considered by the full Council at its meeting on 20 April.

If the nets get the approval of the Council, TCA would require sign-off from NPDC’s Chief Executive for the facility’s design – including those elements that address drainage concerns at the site – and also provide evidence of having funding for the entire project before construction could begin.

TCA would pay all costs associated with the nets and their future maintenance.

The nets would enable TCA to meet New Zealand Cricket’s warrant of fitness requirements for Pukekura Park to continue to host first-class matches.

In his report, Manager Parks Mark Bruhn noted that TCA received 39 submissions from the public about its proposal – 30 in support of practice nets within Pukekura Park, eight opposed and one with no opinion.

Twenty-nine of these supported the proposed location alongside Fillis Street and 10 opposed it.

“TCA has also taken on board comments from the Friends of Pukekura Park regarding some of the trees that are on the site now,” says Mr Bruhn.

“While three kowhai and a prunus would still need to be removed to make way for the nets, the TCA is confident that it can meet the Friends’ request to save another kowhai and a mature totara by modifying the nets’ design.”