Land purchase good news for sport lovers

Auckland Council has signed a contract to purchase the privately-owned sports fields known as Liston Park in Ellerslie.

The property, owned by Marist Brothers Old Boys Rugby Football Club, is at 71-77 Abbotts Way.

The land is a significant area of some 4.4 hectares, and currently used as rugby fields with clubrooms, amenities and parking. Purchase of the land by the council will ensure the retention of much-needed recreation and open space in the area.

The Marist Brothers are amalgamating with Tamaki Rugby Football Club and relocating to Mt Wellington War Memorial Reserve. The club had intended putting the property on the market for sale but agreed to give the council first option to buy the site.

In October, Auckland City Council decided to buy the land

“Ellerslie, Remuera and Meadowbank have a shortage of sport fields, and like the wider Auckland region, not enough dedicated soccer venues and winter training fields, so to retain sports fields in this location is ideal,” says Councillor Ann Hartley, chair of the council’s Regional Development and Operations Committee,

“There was some concern among local residents that the site could have been sold on the open market and developed so we are delighted that we’ve been able to retain Liston Park as an active sports ground.”

Marist Brothers members will consider the offer made by council at its annual general meeting on 29 November 2010.

If accepted this will see Marist continue to use the grounds through the 2011 rugby season while they transition to the new location and council works with sporting groups to identify the best future use of the park.

ENDS

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