As decided in various Parish Meetings, we are looking at selling the tennis court land. Vestry and CPT have been working on options for a deadline sale, while keeping in communication with the Christchurch Methodist Mission. We were looking at going to market later in the year, if the Methodist Mission could not provide an offer soon.

However, circumstances have changed. The Papanui RSA is currently for sale by tender, closing on 16 October 2024. After consultation with CPT, we have determined to bring forward the marketing of the property, so that any purchasers might consider buying both the RSA property and the St Paul’s tennis courts. This could enable a larger development. This will still be through a deadline sale, which will enable us to consider other aspects apart from the price. The closing date for the sale will be sometime after 16 October. The Christchurch Methodist Mission can then also submit an offer under the deadline sale.

This means that you are likely to see marketing of the tennis courts soon. Hopefully this means that the sale will occur towards the end of this year.

For comparison purposes we are also suggesting two alternatives: the whole site; and just the tennis courts with the vicarage site retained. In addition, we are open to any further options proposed by potential purchasers, so that the site can be well used.

The areas excluded from the sale are shaded red.  These are occupied by the Youth Centre or graves. The area for future missional purposes and for a future vicarage is shaded yellow. The area to be sold is shaded blue. The property is just to the south of the graveyard and the Youth Centre.

There could be other options. Some of these might be spelled out in the sale documents. We’ll keep you updated on developments.