It comes after a bid for $320,000 from Christchurch City Council’s strengthening communities fund failed, leaving the park in financial trouble.
Park general manager Ian France said the park had received $1.5 million from the strengthening communities fund over the past 10 years.
“We were disappointed, a bit surprised as well,” he said about missing out this year.
The two full-time staff were from the maintenance and education departments. One has since decided to leave the park and take up another opportunity.
The park now has five full-time staff. It is not looking to cut more jobs, general manager Ian France said.
Instead, it is exploring general cost-cutting measures, and potential income streams like corporate sponsorship and grants.
Admission prices increased by $5 in September. Adults now pay $20; children between 5-15, $15.
The park is looking to hire two or three more staff on casual contracts and has advertised for more volunteers through the Volunteering Canterbury website to help with the park’s operations.
It has had six new volunteers join the park already.
The park is also looking to bring in external directors for both the trust board and the company, after resignations from two company directors and a trustee over the past year.
It is also putting together a case for funding to be considered in the city council’s 2026-27 Annual Plan.
France expects its requested amount to be considerably less than what it applied for this year.
The funding would be used for long overdue infrastructure repairs and introducing new exhibits to the park, which they have not had the means to do.
“It’s about how do you enhance the visitor experience,” said France.
Going forward, the park is focusing on its upcoming events, including the Nostalgia event in February and the 175th Canterbury anniversary over December 13 and 14.
The park hosted its annual Halloween event and was a roaring success, raising $24,000.
France said it was the park’s biggest event in two years.
Accompanied by its night market on Saturday, France estimated about 2000 people walked through the doors over the weekend.
