The Cromwell Racecourse Reserve Management Plan 2025 was approved by the Central Otago District Council yesterday.
Council planning and strategy parks officer Maria Burnett said the racecourse reserve was one of Central Otago’s most significant open spaces and had been long valued for its equestrian activities and community events.
"This plan now looks ahead at how those uses can continue while also enabling recreation to support future needs, including the proposed location for a sports hub."
The short-term plan for the sports hub would include four sports fields and associated facilities, such as changing rooms.
Long term, it was planned those four fields would become eight fields, Ms Burnett said.
The process for the plan had been a thorough one during public consultation. Submissions were received from 291 people, she said.
Central Otago District mayor Tamah Alley said she was pleased with the work that had been undertaken with the equine community and their aspirations for the reserve.
"I think that Cromwell has become a real hub for equine facilities, and that it attracts a lot of riders and their families"
