134 | Selwyn District Council: Foster Park T T Kelly Deeks Sport centre exceeding expectations Foster Park is Selwyn’s largest sport and recreation park, stretching across a massive 25ha. COMMUNITY Selwyn District Council is now working on the final two major stages of the huge Foster Park development, with a dedicated and unique youth zone and a central picnic area rounding off this award-winning recreational facility. The development began with the opening of the Selwyn Aquatic Centre back in 2011. The new youth zone, now under construction and set for completion mid-year, provides alternative user experiences for young people that have outgrown the adjacent destination playground. It comprises a very exciting and first-of-its-kind for the district parkour course, a 3x3 basketball court, and a wheels area, all linked to the destination playground via pathways. The central picnic area will be set amongst Foster Park’s sports fields, with picnic tables and pathways surrounded by some lovely mature trees and providing a sheltered and comfortable space for families to gather and eat al fresco in the heart of Foster Park. Selwyn District Council major projects manager Phil Millar has been involved with the Foster Park development since working on its master plan report back in 2012. He says the plan has since been executed in many stages and very closely to what was envisaged back then, and has been more successful than the council’s capital works team could have imagined. “This has been one of the best projects of my career,” he says. “The amount of use it’s getting is phenomenal. Having an indoor courts building with eight courts in the park at Selwyn Sport Centre has been a real success and has exceeded expectations for how many people use it. A lot of that comes back to my former manager John Reid, who had a great vision for the Selwyn Sport Centre and Foster Park. John sadly passed away four years ago, and so in memory of his contribution to Foster Park, we’ve named the wooden sprung courts at the centre the John F. Reid Courts.” Selwyn District Council also dedicated to John its 2024 Active Park/Sportsground of the Year Award from the Recreation Aotearoa Awards in May. This acclaimation was added to in November with another Recreation Aotearoa Award, this time for Outstanding Recreation Facility. Foster Park has earned its prestigious reputation by being Selwyn’s largest sport and recreation park, stretching across a massive 25ha. Already home to 16 grass playing fields, hockey and football turfs, a softball/baseball diamond, cricket pitches, and the destination playground, the new youth zone and central area will put the finishing touches on this state-of-the-art facility. Selwyn has one of the largest population groups under 24 years of age, and so the youth zone aligns with council’s recently adopted Piki Amokura strategy to empower young people aged 12–24 years to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities and fulfil their potential. The parkour space, in particular, will enable local and visiting rangitahi to try out this rapidly growing activity and increase their fitness and strength while pushing past personal fears and limitations. Selwyn District Council’s capital works team continues to provide enhanced sports and recreation opportunities throughout the district with the ongoing development of Kakaha Park in Prebbleton, an extension to Lincoln Park, and a revitalisation of Leeston Park. Specialist resource management consultancy that provides a comprehensive range of resource and environmental management services. www.incite.co.nz Proudly Supporting Selwyn District Council BACKING FOSTER PARK’S DEVELOPMENT FROM DAY ONE 0800 436 723 | www.waterforce.co.nz
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