Fraser Park (Timaru) facts for kids
| Former names | Fraser Park |
|---|---|
| Location | 328 Church Street, West End, Timaru, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 44°23′48″S 171°13′35″E / 44.39667°S 171.22639°E |
| Capacity | 12,500 |
| Surface | Grass |
Alpine Energy Stadium is a well-known sports stadium in Timaru, New Zealand. It was first called Fraser Park. Today, it is mostly used for exciting rugby union matches. The stadium can hold about 12,000 people. With extra temporary seats, it can even fit 12,500 fans.
Contents
Stadium History: From Athletics to Rugby
Early Days and First Sports
The story of Alpine Energy Stadium began in 1871. The South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club bought land on Otipua Road. They developed this land for athletic events. Just five years later, in 1876, it became the main home for South Canterbury rugby. Besides rugby, the grounds also hosted cricket games and horse trotting races.
Name Changes Over the Years
The stadium has had a few different names. It was first known as the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club Grounds. In 1926, its name changed to Fraser Park. Then, in 1995, it was renamed Alpine Energy Stadium. This is the name it still uses today. In that same year, new floodlights were added. These lights allowed games to be played at night.
Who Plays at Alpine Energy Stadium?
Home of South Canterbury Rugby
Alpine Energy Stadium is the official home ground for the South Canterbury Rugby Team. This team plays in a competition called the Heartland Championship. Fans gather here to cheer on their local rugby heroes.
Stadium Features
Stands and Seating
For many years, the stadium had two main stands for spectators. However, in April 2016, the east stand was permanently closed. This was due to damage. Most of the stadium's seating area is made up of grassy embankments. These offer a great view of the field.
Special Games: Hosting the Crusaders
Helping Out After the Christchurch Earthquake
In 2011, a big earthquake hit Christchurch. Because of this, the Christchurch Super Rugby team, the Crusaders, needed a temporary place to play. Alpine Energy Stadium stepped in to help. It hosted two of their important Super 15 season games. These matches were against the Bulls and the Blues. It was a big moment for Timaru to host such major rugby games.
