The historic Greytown Rugby Club grounds have been secured for 99 years for community use and renamed as Greytown Lands Trust Park, thanks to a watershed agreement between Greytown Lands Trust, South Wairarapa District Council, and Greytown Rugby Club.   

Greytown Lands Trust Chairperson Phil Holden was thrilled the three parties had reached agreement.

He describes the newly named Greytown Lands Trust Park as a cornerstone of Greytown’s social fabric.   

“This is great news for all sports groups and the whole community to use it for events,” says Holden.

“We value the huge goodwill between the three groups to reach this historic agreement, which secures the sports field land for future generations for the next 99 years,” says Councillor Alistair Plimmer.  

The new agreement will see the Trust retain ownership of the land and the Rugby Club retain ownership of the clubrooms on site while the Council will operate the grounds for wider use within the community. This may include investing in the grounds and facilities over time as part of the council’s 99 year management.  

Hato Hone St John would also retain rent free use of space on the land to store a vehicle.  

Tim Fenwick, of the Greytown Rugby club, said “The new lease ensures future generations could enjoy playing sport at the club’s historic turangawaewae and continues the proud history of the club at these grounds, which have been in continuous use for rugby for nearly 150 years.”  

“On behalf of the Trust, the Council and the Rugby Club we look forward to the community and visitors to our town using the space and enjoying the grounds,” says Holden.  

The grounds will be opened up to the view of the community with a portion of the existing fence to be replaced by a new bollard and chain arrangement.  

The Greytown Lands Trust Park is situated at 123 East Street in Greytown.

If your sports club is interested in using the grounds, please contact venues@swdc.govt.nz