Some of Sumner Sports Pavilion Rebuild campaign lead Amy Carter’s earliest memories are of her father, John ‘Herns’ McDermott, taking her to St Leonards Park to watch the senior rugby side play and teaching her how to ride a bike.
The ground remains a source of connection for the family, with Carter now taking her own daughter, Isla, down to play rugby for the blue and black, often running into one of her father’s former teammates.
Her connection to the place has driven her to lead the charge for the pavilion’s $3.4 million rebuild.
“It’s a special place,” she said.
The pavilion was originally built as the clubrooms for the Sumner Surf Life Saving Club, which was once located on the esplanade.
The surf club was forced to move because of the risk of coastal erosion. Sumner Cricket Club purchased the building in 1957 and transported it to St Leonards Park a year later.
The building was damaged in the earthquakes but still met the requirements to remain in use.
Sumner Cricket Club president Ross Gunn said new standards introduced about two years ago meant the pavilion would struggle to comply in the future.
“We looked at the option of bringing the old building up to standard, but we felt we would be better really future-proofing ourselves and going with a new build,” he said.
The building also did not have changing rooms for the club’s growing female player base.
Gunn and Sumner Rugby representative Andy Toy formed a working group with former contractor Trevor Hone and architects Charlie Nott and Andrew Watson.
After developing concept designs, the group secured lease renewal and demolition approval from the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board in November 2024.
Carter was approached to lead the campaign, drawing on more than 25 years of consultancy experience.
“I met with the pavilion committee and just really liked them and liked what they’re planning to do, so I was happy to get involved and help lead that as a volunteer.”
Carter stepped into her first governance role at 16 with the Taylors Mistake surf club, where she served on the committee and helped establish the club’s junior surf programme.
She has since worked for large non-profit organisations including Hato Hone St John and held volunteer governance roles with Coastguard Sumner and the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. She was also chief executive of Te Kura Tawhiti for six years.
“I usually have at least one community volunteer project on the go at any time just because I get a kick out of it making a difference,” she said.
Her passion for community work was instilled by her parents.
“Mum (Elizabeth) ran nippers at Taylors Mistake Surf Club for years and was one of the key people fundraising for the community pool.
“My dad set up the IRBs at both Sumner and Taylors Mistake. They were both heavily involved in the tennis and squash clubs.
“My daughter Lily’s a lifeguard at Taylors Mistake now. That community service and giving back is just part of our DNA.”
Carter said the earthquakes reinforced the importance of community spaces and the role they play in bringing people together.
“That sense of belonging is so crucial. That’s why I think the pavilion project is particularly important, because even if you’re not a member of any of those sports clubs, you go along and watch a game, whether it’s rugby or cricket, there’s just that community connection.”
Carter and the rest of the team spent eight months preparing to launch the pavilion’s inaugural major fundraiser, a star-studded T20 cricket match.
The game in February featured a line-up of former professional cricketers, rugby players and local celebrities including Robbie Deans, Kieran Read and Andy Ellis.
The match drew about 1000 people and raised about $25,000 towards the rebuild.
Carter said hundreds of volunteer hours had also been contributed by Hone and planning consultant Marcus Langman to finalise the building designs, helping the group gain resource consent in August last year.
One interview features seven-time Super Rugby-winning coach Scott Robertson.
“Any gift isn’t a logical decision, it’s a decision made with your heart, so we need to ensure we are telling those stories that inspire people to feel emotion that then leads to generosity,” Carter said.
For the past year, Carter has volunteered between 10 and 20 hours a week to the project while also running her consultancy firm, Perception.
“It’s been a big commitment from everyone but I think you’re starting to see the rewards of that now.
“I’m really proud, there’s a long way to go yet, capital campaigns are a marathon not a sprint, but I’m really excited about the momentum we’re building.”
The Sumner Redcliffs Returned and Services Association joined the project last month, committing $1m towards the rebuild. The campaign has now secured about 44% of the overall cost.
“It was a missing piece of the pie. As a Sumner local, I always felt that bringing them (the RSA) back home was an important part of our recovery as a community after the earthquakes,” Carter said.
“It’s been a lovely milestone.”
A building consent application for the project was lodged last week and the group is now applying for grants.
Carter said campaigns typically turn to the public for support during the final 15% to 20% of fundraising.
The aim is to demolish the existing pavilion after next year’s rugby season and open the new building by Anzac Day, 2028, although that timeline is dependent on funding.
“We’ll work as hard as we can to achieve that.”
