
We’re creating more than just a sports pavilion, we’re building a vibrant community hub for the Bays. Game On.
Building a hub where the Bays belong
Everyone belongs
Everyone can thrive
Champions will grow
Community gathers

Scott Robertson

Amy & Nick Carter

Isla, Rosie and Georgie

Gabby Sullivan

Digby Family

Darren Wright
Modern changing facilities
Modern changing facilities for all players, with private shower areas - something we've never had before.
Social areas
Social areas with a balcony overlooking the field.
Meeting rooms
Meeting rooms for clubs and community groups.
Flexible spaces
Flexible spaces to accommodate different sports and activities.
Modern bar and kitchen facilities
Modern bar and kitchen facilities for functions and fundraising.
Storage areas
Storage areas for equipment and community use.
The total cost is approximately $3 million, with around 2/3rds of this from grants and major donors. We're taking a strategic, transparent approach because this is too important to get wrong:

Major gifts - We would like to secure gifts from the generosity of individuals, as well as through building cost offsets and sponsorships.

Grant funding - We're applying to aligned funders who support capital builds for sports facilities.

Community campaign – We’re working with our community to raise the remaining $800,000 required.
Donate
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal. This is our community project, and we need everyone to play their part. Donations are tax-deductible.
Win the best seats in the house!
Donate to the Sumner Sports Pavilion and you're in to win a catered table for eight on the balcony at the first major sports event in our new facility. Imagine watching the first game from the best seats in the house, with food and drinks provided, sharing this historic moment with other supporters who helped make it happen.
Every donor is automatically entered. Winner will be drawn once the pavilion is complete.
T20 Smash Fundraiser
2.30pm, Thursday 5 February 2026.

Strictly Sumner
Save the date – Saturday 5 September 2026

This volunteer-driven project brings together leaders, experts, and community members donating their time and skills. From architects and builders to fundraisers and designers, everyone is contributing because they believe in this vision.

Charlie Nott
Nott Architects is a small practice undertaking both small and large projects throughout New Zealand and Australia. The environments are as diverse as the projects; from coastal, rural, alpine to urban contexts; often in areas of outstanding natural landscapes.
Charlie (BCom, BBSc, BArch(Hons), FNZIA, PDINZ ) regularly critiques and lectures for Architectural Studies at the Ara Institute.
Nott Architects has been recognised in multiple New Zealand Institute of Architects awards for their architecture, interiors, hospitality and sustainability both at a regional and national level.
On a personal level, Charlie has had a long association with the Sumner Rugby Club. His son has played both cricket and rugby at Junior level and Charlie coached cricket with Andy Crump. Charlie is a Sumner local who is passionate about the Sumner brand.

Andew Watson
Andrew is Christchurch born and raised, and has a passion for the local community and the wider rebuild of Christchurch. He graduated from Auckland University School of Architecture with first class honours in 2006.
Andrew formed AW Architects in 2013 after 5 years with Christchurch practice MAP Architects. He has a wide range of experience through a diverse range of projects, including work in residential, hospitality and mixed use commercial. In these areas Andrew has honed his skills producing bespoke highly detailed solutions, along with a passion for getting the best results for commercial clients at the consultants table.
Andrew has been actively engaged in the Sumner Cricket Club as a junior cricket coach for the Sumner ‘Chargers’ from 2017 - 2023.

Ross Gunn
Ross and his family have been Sumner residents for over 30 years - they originally moved for the location but stayed for the awesome community vibe. His involvement in local sports kicked off with Sumner Rugby, where he coached both his boys' teams from 2001 to 2004.
Ross also coached his sons in cricket and started playing for Sumner Cricket himself in 2000, competing in the President's grade for 20 years until 2020. He joined the cricket club committee in 2003, taking on the Junior Convenor role from 2003 to 2008. Ross has remained on the committee ever since and stepped up to become President in 2018 (though he took a well-deserved sabbatical in 2023!).
As the cricket club's representative on the Sumner Sports Pavilion rebuild project, Ross says he is proud to be part of this awesome initiative and to see once again just how special the Sumner community really is.

Andy Toy
Andy has called Sumner home for over 40 years and has been heavily involved in local sports for nearly three decades. It all started when he began coaching his sons' cricket teams from 1995-2005, then moved into rugby in 1996 when he coached their junior teams.
In 1998, Andy joined the Sumner Rugby committee and has worn many hats over the years - Junior Club Captain, Senior Club Captain, Secretary, President, and Club Delegate to Canterbury Rugby and Metro Rugby. His dedication was recognised with a Volunteering Recognition Award in 2009 and he became a Life Member of Sumner Rugby in 2011.
Andy has been running the hugely popular Sumner Touch Competition for 22 years and has represented the Rugby Club on the Sports Pavilion committee since 2012. He loves being part of Sumner's unique community and all the friendships that come with it. Andy is excited about the pavilion rebuild project and sees it as something that will benefit the whole community for years to come.

Liza Sparrow
Liza has been a passionate sideline supporter of her three boys, who over the past 20 years, have played cricket, rugby, and touch at St Leonards. As a neighbour, she’s witnessed firsthand the countless, often unseen, volunteer hours that go into running club activities and is keen to give back to those who’ve gone before.
With a hands-on approach, Liza has held several community roles, including Chair of the Sumner Community Residents’ Association, committee member for the Bays Area Skate Project, and Sumner Hub Manager. Creating spaces and events that strengthen community is her passion.
Professionally, Liza is a communications and marketing specialist. In this project, she’ll work with the team to engage the wider Bays Area, including local businesses, neighbours, residents’ associations and Community Board stakeholders to keep everyone in the loop and provide a platform for local voices to be heard.
Liza is excited that the rebuild is going to be fit for purpose and a welcoming home for many community groups. She’s committed to safeguarding the Laz for future generations.

Chelsea Halliwell
Chelsea knows a thing or two about getting communities talking and making things happen. She's been helping organisations work through tricky situations for over 15 years through her business Resolve Communications, tackling everything from big infrastructure projects to grassroots campaigns.
She's got a soft spot for these pro bono projects that actually matter to real people. A few years back, Chelsea supported Redcliffs School in its campaign to keep the school open when the government wanted to shut it down - and it worked. She's also spent years running a nationwide campaign as a community ambassador for Bowel Cancer New Zealand. Her work has picked up several awards along the way, including the supreme award from the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand.
As Mt Pleasant residents, owners of Sumner's iconic Beach Bar, and parents of rugby-mad Georgie in the girls’ Lightning tackle team, Chelsea and her husband Shaun are really looking forward to welcoming this latest improvement to the Bays community.

Scott Robertson
As Head Coach of the All Blacks, Scott Robertson brings world-class rugby credentials to his role as patron of the Sumner Sports Pavilion rebuild.
Scott's professional playing career spanned Bay of Plenty, Canterbury's Crusaders, and teams across Europe before he transitioned into coaching. He led the Crusaders to five consecutive Super Rugby titles and coached Canterbury to multiple NPC championships before taking on the ultimate role in New Zealand rugby.
Scott understands what great facilities can do for community sport, having seen firsthand how the right environment helps young players thrive.
With his own sons continuing the family tradition at Sumner, Scott remains deeply connected to grassroots rugby. His vision for the new pavilion is simple: create a space that will serve the community for the next 50 to 100 years, where champions grow and legacy is built.

Amy Carter
Amy Carter is a born and bred Sumner local with over 30 years hands on experience at fundraising. She cut her teeth at Taylors Mistake Surf Club as a teenager securing sponsorship for their junior programmes. Since then she has held leadership and governance roles in not for profits large and small both locally and nationally. She has developed the campaigns for, and helped raise, in excess of $75 million dollars for kiwi charities, including numerous capital campaigns.
Her dad played for Sumner Rugby Club and was part of the 1967 Colts team that won their division. Now, her youngest daughter, Isla, is a keen member of the junior rugby club, playing for both the Barracudas and the Lightning.
Amy has a life long relationship with St Leonards Square and the pavilion. She learned to ride her bike on the hallowed grounds and has attended many games and post match celebrations as a spectator, as well as 21st's and other celebrations. For her the Laz is a place to remain connected with whānau and friends, and is chocka full of wonderful memories, something she hopes will also be the case for her kids and those that follow.

Marcus Langman
Marcus Langman is a Sumner-based planning consultant with over two decades of experience in resource management, policy development, and statutory planning. He advises councils, developers, and community groups on a wide range of projects, from district plan reviews and plan changes, to complex rezoning and consenting processes.
With a strong background in urban growth management and policy, he specialises in balancing development opportunities with environmental and community needs, shaping high-quality planning outcomes across the South Island and beyond.

Trevor Hone
Trevor Hone has been a respected figure in the Christchurch building industry for more than two decades, earning national recognition in 2021 as winner of the Registered Master Builder's National Craftsmanship award.
A long-time supporter of Sumner sports, Trevor has coached junior rugby teams over eight seasons and proudly watched his three children grow up playing both cricket and rugby here. It was through these years on the sideline and in the clubhouse that he came to truly appreciate the role the Sumner Rugby and Cricket Club plays in weaving newcomers into the fabric of local life.
Trevor believes these clubs are more than sporting venues - they’re anchors of belonging, connection, and wellbeing. As part of the rebuild and fundraising committee, he’s bringing his skills and heart to ensure the club continues to thrive for generations to come. He’s passionate about making sure future players and families have the same opportunities his own family has cherished - on and off the field.
Why not just renovate the existing building?
We explored this option thoroughly, but renovation would cost nearly as much as rebuilding while still leaving us with an outdated facility. Christchurch City Council has also made rebuilding a requirement of our ground lease.
How much will this cost?
Approximately $3 million. This has been peer-reviewed by community sports facility experts and will be verified by registered Quantity Surveyors Suckling Stringer.
Who's building it?
We're working with Jim the Builder, a trusted local contractor who has generously agreed to an open-book building process and reduced profit margins as their contribution to the project. This model also allows us to tap into the offers of support we have had from other local business owners for building materials and services.
Will the building be bigger?
There's a small increase in footprint to accommodate proper facilities, working within the existing site boundaries with full council approval.
When will construction start?
Only once we've secured full funding. We're committed to building without debt to ensure long-term sustainability.
How can I help?
Subscribe for updates, donate what you can, volunteer your time, help with fundraising, or spread the word. Every contribution matters.
Where exactly will it be built?
On the current site at St Leonards Square, Sumner. The cricket nets will be relocated within the square.
Will use of the sports field change?
Training and nighttime games will continue to be held at McCormacks Bay, which is well set up with floodlights for evening use. There’s no intention to install lights over the sports field at St Leonard’s Square.
Will other sports be able to use it?
Absolutely. We're designing this facility to welcome other sporting and recreation groups in the Bays area who need a home. If you’re interested in finding out more about using the facility, please contact Andy Toy at andytoy@xtra.co.nz / 022 171 4250.
Is this just for the top teams?
Not at all. This is for everyone - from kids just starting out to social players, from competitive teams to casual users. Everyone belongs here.
What happens if you don't raise enough money?
We won't start building until we have sufficient funds. This protects the community from debt and ensures we can complete the project properly.













