Ashburton District Councillors have endorsed a development plan by the Ashburton A&P Association to upgrade their showgrounds to create separate spaces for rugby and equestrian events.

A&P Association Past President and Board Chairman Richard Lemon and Past President and grounds manager Tim Lovett presented the plans to councillors at their meeting on 19 April, saying the association needed to make better use of the space and attract more paying users.

Stage one of the improvements included moving the equestrian rings to the western side of the showgrounds, leaving the oval and playing fields where they are for sport or community events.

Mr Lemon said it was no longer suitable from a health and safety view for animals and humans to share the same fields. The association also had to repair the playing surface after the horse eventing season.

Rugby leased the facility seven months of the year and had had a presence at the showgrounds since the 1950s. It made sense to separate the two, so there were no clashes and each surface was fit for purpose, he said.

The showground improvements would cater for both major users in separate spaces, as well as being flexible spaces for the association’s annual two-day show and able to accommodate other regular events like dog agility training, the annual motorhome show and vintage machinery enthusiasts.

He said the association was looking for Council to endorse its plans, and continue a conversation about how it might help the project into the future.

Mayor Neil Brown said the project looked good and it was now on council’s radar.

“The showgrounds are a real community asset and would be retained and enhanced by these plans.”

He said the association should speak with council during its Long Term Plan consultation at the end of the year, and confirm what type of support was needed.

Stages two and three of the project are about improving facilities, including undergrounding electricity and putting in lights, and renovating the existing grandstand to include gender-neutral changing rooms.

The showgrounds could then also be used for community events and concerts.

One of the concept plans (below).

Watch the presentation here: