114 | DEVELOPMENT Riccarton Park: Watts & Hughes Construction T T Karen Phelps Long-term vision becoming reality The Pavilion is due to be operational by November this year. Riccarton Park is set to redefine events and hospitality in Christchurch with the construction of The Pavilion. “We recognised the need for a permanent structure following the Christchurch earthquakes 15 years ago, which destroyed two of our grandstands, both of which were previously used for raceday and non-raceday functions,” explains Tim Mills, Chief Executive of the Canterbury Jockey Club. “When the Grand National (public) grandstand was demolished, we experimented with temporary infrastructure, but a permanent solution was essential. “The Pavilion at Riccarton Park is the result of a long-term vision to future-proof both our racing and function operations.” Tim says the club undertook extensive due diligence to ensure The Pavilion met Christchurch’s needs and achieved 100% NBS compliance. He says construction on The Pavilion, which began late last year, is progressing smoothly. “The construction is going extremely satisfactorily. It needed to be built from November 2025 to October 2026 to fit in with Canterbury’s annual social and racing highlight, the New Zealand Cup Meeting. “Watts & Hughes Construction gave us the confidence they could complete it on time and on budget. “They have been terrific to work with, and I can’t stress enough how hard they are working to deliver this project successfully.” The Pavilion has been designed with both form and function in mind. It is a two-storey venue, offering a ground floor capable of hosting up to 270 guests in banquet style and Level One can cater to 80 guests and features a private balcony. A generous terrace with adjustable louvres overlooks the racecourse, connecting with a split-level lawn. The Canterbury Jockey Club, formed in 1854, runs 31 racedays annually alongside training and trials. On non-racedays it opens its grounds for a range of events, from weddings and conferences to school balls and corporate functions. The Pavilion is not the only venue on site. Riccarton Park offers a suite of spaces tailored to every occasion. 027 477 0310 jim.thompson@paradigmconsulting.co.nz Architecture, Urban Design, Interiors, Strategic Advisory. Proud to support The Canterbury Jockey Club and Watts & Hughes Construction as Architects for the Riccarton Pavilion. www.chowhill.co.nz p: 033771255 m: +64 27 2226677 The Tea House, an Edwardian heritage building dating back to 1903, seats 40 to 85 guests and features landscaped gardens and a pond. The Show Gate caters for up to 400 people for cocktail events and the modern Club Grandstand offers 17 air-conditioned rooms with capacities ranging from 10 to 250 for conferences or social functions. These include the Balmerino and Nightmarch Rooms, ideal for company functions or large gatherings, as well as smaller, intimate spaces such as the Phar Lap, Gloaming and Beaumaris Rooms. Across all venues, Riccarton Park provides professional event staff, catering, table settings, cleaning and free car parking. The outdoor areas are freely accessible to booked venues, providing a picturesque backdrop for picnics, barbecues or corporate events. Located just 15 minutes from Christchurch city centre and eight minutes from the international airport, Tim says that Riccarton Park combines convenience with quiet, park-like surroundings. Its dedicated events team works with clients to deliver weddings, conferences, school balls, Christmas parties and private functions. The Pavilion is due to be operational by November this year. “Once completed, it really future-proofs the Canterbury Jockey Club’s activities and offers a function room to Christchurch that is easily accessible with plenty of parking,” says Tim. “It’s hugely exciting to see it come to fruition.”
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