Est. 1863

The oldest wooden cricket pavilion in the Southern Hemisphere

Our home at Hagley Oval

For more than 150 years, Hagley Park has been home of cricket in Christchurch.

Believed to be the oldest cricket pavilion in the world, and certainly the oldest sports building in New Zealand, it has offered shelter to generations of Canterbury's cricketers ever since.

Recognised heritage

Listed with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. The Umpires Pavilion is protected for its significance as one of the oldest surviving cricket pavilions anywhere in the world, and its ongoing role as home to Canterbury's cricket umpires.

Timeline

Dec 1863

Construction

Built at Dillonys, “Nancy’s” corner, in December for the cost of 300 pounds.

Feb 1864

England XI

Used by Canterbury Cricket and the visiting George Parr’s “All England” XI.

1869

Moved to Hagley

Moved to its present site in Hagley Park for 23 pounds 10 shillings and used by Christchurch United Cricket Club.

1908

Christchurch West & St Albans

Became the home of Christchurch West and the St Albans Cricket Clubs.

1954

Condemned

The St Albans Cricket Club leaves and Christchurch City Council condemns the building as unsafe.

1957

Restoration

Restored by West Old Boys Cricket Club at a cost of £1,009 on their 50th Jubilee.

1972

Marist

With the merger of West and Burnside, and subsequent move to Burnside Park, the pavilion was purchased by the Marist Cricket Club and the front balcony renovated.

1988

Home of the Umpires

The members of the Canterbury Cricket Umpires Association purchased the derelict pavilion with the intention of restoring it. Under the guidance of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust the building has been fully upgraded and its original appearance returned.

2013

The Jewel of Hagley Oval

After the destruction caused to Lancaster Park in the 2011 earthquake, Canterbury Cricket redeveloped Hagley Oval as the home of cricket in Canterbury, with the design including the Umpires Pavilion as a key feature of the new ground.

2015

Cricket World Cup

The Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup was hosted in New Zealand and Australia. As part of this tournament the pavilion was repainted and a new kitchen and modern heating and lighting were installed.