44 replies to this topic

[Immenso Rapido]

Whangarei's Cobham Oval get's it's first cricket international on Waitangi Day when NZ play Zimbabwe.

It's a pretty good little ground, there has been development in the some of the provincial centres of their cricket venues.

Whether it would have happened anyway, or perhaps an opportunity seeing ast Auckland and Christchurch lost 'status' due to the shitness of their stadiums.

Seeing as these grounds are secondary (or third) within their Associations, I assume they have just been developed more with an eye on improved facilities at community level with the bonus of FC matches and maybe an international.

http://www.google.co...=1t:429,r:3,s:0


http://www.google.co...=1t:429,r:2,s:0


http://www.google.co...1t:429,r:10,s:0

[Immenso Rapido]

The best new ground, I think, is Saxton Oval in Nelson. It has very ambitious facilities, the shared pavillion that backs on to the Athletics stadium is spectacular in a modernist architecture POV.

The ground as a whole will look great when all the trees grow.

The shared Pavilion backing onto both Cricket Oval and Athletics/Soccer ground:
http://www.google.co...1t:429,r:3,s:71


http://www.facebook....&type=3


http://www.google.co...:0&tx=132&ty=95



From the Athletics Ground Side
http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

http://www.facebook....&type=3


You can see an awesome time lapse of it's construction here;
http://arthousearchi...ress/project-1/


The Cricket Oval Player's Pavilion:
http://www.google.co...=1t:429,r:0,s:0


[ATTACH=CONFIG]1658[/ATTACH]
http://hamletcat.blo...axton-oval.html

[Immenso Rapido]

I believe, at Dunedin's Univeristy Oval. Part of the old museum has partially demolished (one of the wings) beside the ground. This was done in order to extend the boundary straight at one end. It will be interesting to see the ground on Friday, it should be a big improvement.

[Immenso Rapido]

But Blake Park in Tauranga is pretty much stalled. Good field/pitch. But are stuck with portacabins for forseeable future.

http://www.sunlive.c...d-pavilion.html

http://www.bayofplen...o-move/1113689/

Quote

Cricketers and hockey players reject move

Mount Maunganui cricket and hockey players have been called "the mouse that roared" after they vetoed an attempt to shift them into the planned new cricket pavilion at Blake Park's cricket oval.

The 400 members of the Mount Maunganui Cricket and Hockey Society have undone months of work between their executive and the Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust to develop a memorandum of understanding in which the society shifted into the new pavilion.

The Tauranga City Council required the development of the memorandum before it approved construction of the pavilion.

However, it was undone when the society's rank and file met to consider the memorandum. Society vice-president Bill Webb said the "resounding message" was that members wanted to stay in their existing clubrooms. The bad news was relayed to a meeting of the city council this week.

Members opposed shifting into the new pavilion because it did not face on to their cricket wickets and they would be denied use of the lounge if a first-class cricket match was being played on the oval or the oval was booked for non-sporting uses.


With the ground lease for its clubrooms expiring in eight years and the area earmarked for hockey, Mr Webb asked that the top-storey lounge portion of the clubrooms be shifted to a site overlooking two nearby club cricket fields. Players would use the council-funded toilet and changing rooms portion of the planned new pavilion.

Mount councillor Wayne Moultrie described the decision of the society's membership as "the mouse that roared".

He said the society's membership, which did not have the same depth of knowledge as their management, had said no to the memorandum. He said the lease should not be renewed when it expired in 2019.

Cr David Stewart agreed, saying that it was an ideal opportunity for the society and the trust to get together to make a success of the pavilion. Blake Park had reached saturation and the council should not comprise its uses.

"Sports clubs need to work together and should work together."

However, Cr Larry Baldock argued that the Bay of Plenty Cricket Trust and the clubs were not a good fit. To place local clubs in a position where they could lose their home after 2019 was deplorable. "It's not cricket."

Cr Tony Christiansen said that forcing the society in with the trust was not giving them any choices whatsoever. Cr Terry Molloy said it was not a marriage of convenience.

The council reached a compromise in which the society could stay in its clubrooms until 2019, after which the lease would be renewed each year for 10 years, or until the area was required for more hockey fields. The opportunity for the second storey to be shifted elsewhere would be investigated. Mayor Stuart Crosby said it was a practical way forward and gave everyone time to come up with a good solution.

a rather crappy render of the proposal;
http://www.skyscrape...=436187&page=64

[mariner4life]

I was watching the test at McLean Park, and was embarrassed by the ground. Seriously, NZ cricket should rissole these wierdly shaped little hybrid grounds for test cricket (yes, Eden Park as well, and anything they might build in Christchurch) and play on ovals. Even these little provincial grounds would be better. Lets face it, 18 people a day turn up to tests, so its not like there is a crowd to miss out on.

Better still would be to build purpose built test grounds that are of a decent size (field, not viewing), the excuses we have for international cricket grounds at the moment are shameful.

[hydro11]

mariner4life said:

I was watching the test at McLean Park, and was embarrassed by the ground. Seriously, NZ cricket should rissole these wierdly shaped little hybrid grounds for test cricket (yes, Eden Park as well, and anything they might build in Christchurch) and play on ovals. Even these little provincial grounds would be better. Lets face it, 18 people a day turn up to tests, so its not like there is a crowd to miss out on.

Better still would be to build purpose built test grounds that are of a decent size (field, not viewing), the excuses we have for international cricket grounds at the moment are shameful.

Money.

[mariner4life]

aye? What do you mean money?

[Baron Silas Greenback]

He is agreeing with you. You need to do 'Street 101' in summer school... cause your knowledge of the lingo is whack!

McLean Park is a joke as a cricket venue, NZ can do much better. Loving the look of Cobham, looks awesome.

Shame about Blake park... but wont be long before it gets built... and we have a Boxing day or New Years test at Mt Maunganui... then you would see a seriously full ground. Easily be a sell out every day.

[Sneakdefreak]

Immenso Rapido said:

The best new ground, I think, is Saxton Oval in Nelson. It has very ambitious facilities, the shared pavillion that backs on to the Athletics stadium is spectacular in a modernist architecture POV.

The ground as a whole will look great when all the trees grow.

The shared Pavilion backing onto both Cricket Oval and Athletics/Soccer ground:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1655[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1657[/ATTACH]
You can see an awesome time lapse of it's construction here;
http://arthousearchi...ress/project-1/


The Cricket Oval Player's Pavilion:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]0[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1656[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1658[/ATTACH]
http://hamletcat.blo...axton-oval.html

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1659[/ATTACH]

That does look nice, what's the capacity? I think 4000-5000 capacity venues will be perfect for test matches and ODIs (apart from India, Australia, England and South Africa). I really like Pukekura Park in New Plymouth.

[Hooroo]

Baron Silas Greenback said:

He is agreeing with you. You need to do 'Street 101' in summer school... cause your knowledge of the lingo is whack!

McLean Park is a joke as a cricket venue, NZ can do much better. Loving the look of Cobham, looks awesome.

Shame about Blake park... but wont be long before it gets built... and we have a Boxing day or New Years test at Mt Maunganui... then you would see a seriously full ground. Easily be a sell out every day.

I don't know. What would be capacity? I'm so enthusiastic for Test Cricket but I doubt anywhere in NZ would sell out for one day of test cricket, let alone all days.

We will get a better indication of the popularity when SA tour over here. If we have fine weather for the tests I would hope we have big crowds but I seem regularly disappointed in NZ test crowds

[Immenso Rapido]

Hooroo said:

I don't know. What would be capacity? I'm so enthusiastic for Test Cricket but I doubt anywhere in NZ would sell out for one day of test cricket, let alone all days.

We will get a better indication of the popularity when SA tour over here. If we have fine weather for the tests I would hope we have big crowds but I seem regularly disappointed in NZ test crowds

I think the England tour in 2008 was the last sellout for a day of test cricket in NZ, the Saturday of the Basin Reserve test match. I had a 5-day pass for that match but didn't attend on that day, but all 5 days had excellent attendances, close to full.

However, the Hamilton and Napier test matches of that tour were disappointingly sparsely attended. Especially considering that numbers were swelled by the Barmy Army, expats and tourists/backpackers.

[Hooroo]

I was at the Basin test and the Hamilton test for that tour too. I can't remember The Basin being sold out when down there. I do remember a blimmen good crowd there though. Caught up briefly with one ferner. (Mojo I think his online name was, got on really well with phooey....)

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Seddon Park is another great cricket field as well. We dont need to ever host tests at dual code venues.

Blake Park would def sell out, you have lots of Aucklanders, Hamiltronians and locals all on holiday and mostly within easy walking distance.

[Immenso Rapido]

Hooroo said:

I was at the Basin test and the Hamilton test for that tour too. I can't remember The Basin being sold out when down there. I do remember a blimmen good crowd there though. Caught up briefly with one ferner. (Mojo I think his online name was, got on really well with phooey....)

Yep, on the Saturday afternoon they stopped admitting anyone to the ground - was a sellout.

[Immenso Rapido]

Another of Saxton Oval;

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1661[/ATTACH]

[Baron Silas Greenback]

For some reason Saxton Oval doesnt really appeal.Maybe it is nicer when you are actually at the ground?

[Immenso Rapido]

and this is what the back of the shared pavilion looks like, this from the Athletics Stadium side;

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1662[/ATTACH]


There are some more images of the cricket ground at the below site that I can't upload. Of it in rugby mode as a practice venue during the RWC.
http://snpa.photoshe...000s7lq3tZiEGU/

Edited by Immenso Rapido, 01 February 2012 - 09:41 AM.

[Immenso Rapido]

http://www.stuff.co....oit-Saxton-Oval

Article from back on 06 Oct

Quote

Push on to exploit Saxton Oval
WAYNE MARTIN

The Nelson Cricket Association isn't about to squander the potential marketing opportunities provided by the new Saxton Oval facility.


The $3.8 million facility, shared between cricket, athletics and football, is potentially among the best in the country and the

NCA's new chairman, David Leonard, said they were implementing measures to maximise that potential.


High on the list is appointing a general manager, already advertised, to run the operation, with the position expected to be filled by the end of the month.


It's also meant a re-evaluation of the way the NCA runs its own operation, with nationally recognised consultant Peter Dale recently commissioned to review the association's governance and operational performance.


"He sort of pulled it all apart and put it back together and out of that review, we've looked to change the structure of the organisation from an operational point of view," said Leonard.


"The general manager's role would encompass the commercial opportunities around the facility and Nelson Cricket and ensuring that we maximise that."


Leonard now heads a board including Kelvin Scoble, Tony Pratt, Stephen Alder and Greg Du Feu, as chairman of the management committee, with another to be appointed to complete a six-member board. John Goodman is the NCA president and the NCA's former executive officer, Gordon Davidson, has been redesignated as director of cricket, focusing primarily on the operational aspect.


The NCA last year suffered a financial loss of about $60,000 which, Leonard said, was being managed and expected to be cleared within the next 18 months.


"We've put a budget in place to ensure that we can pay that off and to continue to provide what we're meant to."


The plan is to develop Saxton Oval into one of the country's top cricket venues with all the financial and marketing opportunities that engenders, including marketing it as a first-class practice facility.


The Central Districts Cricket Association's new chief executive, Hugh Henderson, was a recent visitor to Nelson and, says Leonard, was impressed with the amenities.


"His statement was that it's certainly the best cricket ground within Central Districts and, potentially and possibly, one of the best cricket facilities in New Zealand.


"The community, Nelson Cricket and the councils have put a significant amount of money into that facility, so it's our obligation now to utilise it. To do that, we felt like we had to change as an organisation."


Leonard said the days of having to share grounds with other sports were over and that having a purpose-built facility would attract more high-quality fixtures. The goal was to develop Saxton Oval into a "second tier" test match venue.


"I don't think we could probably ever host England or Australia, we just wouldn't have the capacity, from a crowd point of view, to host that many people. But certainly, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe or Pakistan – those type of teams, we think that we could host those as well as a lot of the other test match venues around New Zealand."


Saxton Oval will host three games this season, starting with a one-day fixture between Central Districts and Otago on December 14. The Stags will play Otago in an HRV Cup Twenty20 match on January 2, ahead of a Plunket Shield fixture against Canterbury from March 9-12.


There will be changes to the NCA's operational procedures. Where it had previously subsidised junior cricket, Leonard said they were now moving towards a user-pays system in terms of ground charges and affiliations fees, although the NCA would continue to fund some of their development programmes.


He said the association was looking for improvement in some key areas.


"Financially we should be in a better position. I think operationally we're moving to a structure that will enable us to grow.


"Playing-wise, I'd like us to be a lot stronger and we need to make sure that we're encouraging our elite players but also encouraging development and participation at a younger level so that we get kids loving cricket and wanting to play cricket."


The NCA also plans to explore the possibility of becoming a host playing or training venue for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which will be shared between New Zealand and Australia.

[Immenso Rapido]

I can't find any images or even too much info on the extension of University Oval and the demolition of one of the wings of the old art gallery.

But here is some info from one of the contractors, about the best I could find.
http://www.thinkdelt...0May%202011.pdf

Quote

The lot of a cricket bowler will be a happier one at the newly
developed University Oval in Dunedin. The boundaries are
now 22% larger with the shortest boundary now a respectable
65 metres from the flailing willow.

Up until the recently completed extension, the Oval was smaller
in comparison to other international venues. With the upgrade, it is
now one of the country’s most stunning cricketing amphitheatres.

Paramount to the success of the project was the demolition of
the end section of a former art gallery. The building was of heritage
value, originally built for the New Zealand and South Seas
Exhibition of 1925-26. After extensive consultation with all stakeholders,
a permit was granted to shorten the building by the critical
few metres required to extend the cricket oval.

The media centre and sightscreens were relocated
northwards, making way for the project to begin.

The wicket block was also moved and the number of wickets
increased from five to eight. The block was relaid using Kakanui
clay from the Oamaru area, under the watchful eye of designers,
the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute.

The ‘new’ University Oval was opened in March in a function
attended by Dunedin City Mayor, Dave Cull, and cricketing
dignatories from around the country.

Actually, I have seen a televised HRV Cup game this season since the ground was expanded in March. I didn't really notice the difference as I wasn't looking out for it. I guess it is just a more respectable sized version of it's previous self. With the 'end' of the gallery and media centre still there, just slightly different and further north.

[Immenso Rapido]

http://www.northerna...m-oval/1060707/

June 29, 2011

Quote

Test cricket for Cobham Oval
Michelle Curran

It started with a vision, and after years of planning logistics, hard work and plenty of commitment, Northland Cricket are celebrating.

Whangarei's Cobham Oval has met International Cricket Council standards, which means Northland Cricket can host any international game NZC allocates them. The good news was backed up a day after Cobham Oval gained international accreditation, when NZC announced the Black Caps international schedule for 2011-2012.

Cobham Oval was allocated its first One Day International on Waitangi Day, February 6, next year between the Black Caps and Zimbabwe.

It is a major coup for Northland Cricket and chief executive Gary Bell, who has helped drive the move to get Cobham Oval up to speed to host international matches.

"Our vision has always been that the Oval is an international ground.

"When I started here in 2005, we started to find out more information of what requirements we needed to make it happen ... it was more a case of could we do it, and were we committed to making it happen, and we were," Bell said.


It was a busy few years for Northland Cricket as they started to upgrade the facilities at Cobham Oval, as well as continuing with their coaching and development programmes in the region.

Recent upgrades included the additional Bellahomes Pavilion, which provides another team changing facilities, alterations to to accommodate group officials and the third umpire required at international fixtures, along with adding nine extra practice strips and the creation of extra natural seating on the embankment, which has taken the ground capacity to 5500 people.

Ground security has been improved and the Northland Events Centre's ticketing booths, located next door to Cobham Oval, will be used on game day.

The push to gain international accreditation has been a long hard slog, but it was worth it, Bell said.

"We are over the moon, and to be rewarded a One Day International straight away by New Zealand Cricket is great," he said.

He had received only positive feedback since the announcement, with past and present Northland players, along with NZC representatives, congratulating the association on their achievement, backing the accreditation wholeheartedly.

"Even at this early stage, it looks like we could potentially get a massive crowd along to the ODI, which would be good to show New Zealand Cricket their decision was a good one."

Having the fixture scheduled for Waitangi Day seemed fitting for the Northland venue, Bell added.

"It seems to be right to have a game up here on Waitangi Day - in Northland. We will be doing all that we can to encourage people to come down here in their numbers to watch this game."

[Crucial]

Immenso Rapido said:

I think the England tour in 2008 was the last sellout for a day of test cricket in NZ, the Saturday of the Basin Reserve test match. I had a 5-day pass for that match but didn't attend on that day, but all 5 days had excellent attendances, close to full.

However, the Hamilton and Napier test matches of that tour were disappointingly sparsely attended. Especially considering that numbers were swelled by the Barmy Army, expats and tourists/backpackers.

I went for a day at the Napier Test and it was pumping. Very well attended. Most people are more than happy to sit on a grass bank for Tests too. Stands are uncomfortable and usually cold.

Like the look of Cobham. Drove past it during the Xmas break and the whole complex there is a great example of how to do medium sized facilities for both Rugby and Cricket without having to play Cricket on a rectangle or Rugby on an oval.

[Immenso Rapido]

Crucial said:

Like the look of Cobham. Drove past it during the Xmas break and the whole complex there is a great example of how to do medium sized facilities for both Rugby and Cricket without having to play Cricket on a rectangle or Rugby on an oval.

Indeed. As does Saxton Oval with the Athletices Stadium. In fact the entire Saxton Fields complex is very impressive for a town of Nelson's size.

This is where I think Tauranga has missed the boat a bit, in developing separate facilities at Blake Park and Baypark.

Nestled in the centre of Tauranga city/CBD is the Tauranga Domain. Unfortunately no one saw the opportunity to develop the number 1 ground further as a rugby field with some shared facilities backing onto the number 2 ground which is a decent sized cricket oval. This would mean shared member, corporate facilities, plus gates, food outlet infrastructure etc, but not a shared field. The CBD can handle traffic & parking better than Baypark, there are parking building etc near by which deal with commuters 5 days a week.

The Tauranga Domain outer oval is a spectacular cricket ground with views out to Mt Maunganui and POSSBILY the harbour (if stands were built). Where as Blake Park is where Mt Maunganui residential meets Mt Maunganui Port/Industrial. While it has views of the Mount, it also has views of the salt mountain next door etc.

While Baypark, the less said about the best speedway stadium yet worse rugby stadium in the country the better. Crap rugby ground, nestled beside the sewerage ponds with cheap looking stands.

Don't get wrong, Blake Park is fine (but Baypark isn't), and it is well located for the holiday crowds - but it could have been much better IMO.

Edited by Immenso Rapido, 01 February 2012 - 10:19 AM.

[mariner4life]

All that gushing praise for Tauranga Domain is going to give Baron a chub...

I am just gutted they got rid of the old Blake Park oval, as its one of the few grounds i have a decent batting average on.....

[Baron Silas Greenback]

mariner4life said:

All that gushing praise for Tauranga Domain is going to give Baron a chub...

I am just gutted they got rid of the old Blake Park oval, as its one of the few grounds i have a decent batting average on.....

Ahhh the mighty Tauranga domain... great place.. great memories. The best cricket club in the world calls it home...

[Allstar]

a guy I know started up this site - www.cricketpitch.co.nz

quite basic looking, but very comprehensive.

[cricketman]

Immenso Rapido said:

I believe, at Dunedin's Univeristy Oval. Part of the old museum has partially demolished (one of the wings) beside the ground. This was done in order to extend the boundary straight at one end. It will be interesting to see the ground on Friday, it should be a big improvement.

I'm heading down there for days 1 & 2 of the 1st test v SA. I am really looking forward to checking it out, as on TV the ground looks very pretty.

[Chiefy]

That Saxon Oval in Nelson is a very interesting looking ground. Quite modern looking compared to some of the others.

Cobham Oval in Whangarei is a great ground and is probably not quite done justice by the pictures in this thread. Although I am stoked we are getting an ODI up here, I think long term it will be used as a test match ground with maybe the odd ODI against the minnows. Perhaps a Waitangi test match could work well if possible...

[Immenso Rapido]

Cobham Oval did an excellent job yesterday.

Congratulations to all those involved in the NCA and Whangarei District Council (I assume) for several years work getting it to this state, and to the groundstaff for a belter of a batting wicket.

Edit:
Although, while I realise the ground will improve, it isn't the finished article yet.
It will look great once the trees start growing more, and things grow very quickly up north, especially exotic trees. Some tall trees beyond the outer to block out some of the industrial neighbours would be good. Can't allow cheap industrial architechture to intrude on my cricket watching

The tin shed behind the sightscreen isn't the best. Any local know what it is used for? Looks like it may be an indoor training facility? Indoor cricket nets, or an indoor 'sawdust' rugby facility? If it is nets, then in the future perhaps the administrators could aim for something like the RA Vance Stand at the Basin which is a covered grandstand (above sightscreen height) with 3 indoor training nets below. Doesn't have to be large, but I assume at some stage they will need some covered seating if they want to host test matches, so may as well combine the two.

[Immenso Rapido]

and while on the topic of praising the Northland Cricket Association for Cobham Oval and the event thery hosted yesterday, I'd like to hand over some kudos for other similar provincial associations. In this thread we've seen similar ambition at Nelson Cricket Association and BOP CA, and Otago CA.

It's good to be praising cricket administrators, instead of bi-annual berating of NZC. It gives me hope, after decades of regular incompetence at NZC.

While handing out praise, I also think the quality of Plunket Shield is very good, which is partly attributable to NZC's FC Grounds WOF policy and provincial player contracting. The quality pitches means that the bowling cream rises to the top, less noticeable for the batting at the moment, but the same should also apply once the depth FC bowling reaches the higher standard demanded by the pitches.

[D-Up]

The tin shed next to the pavilion is for Indoor Cricket nets. Great day yesterday.