PITCH PERFECT AT HAGLEY OVAL

WORDS Joshua Brosnahan PHOTOS Chloe Mundy

Jeremy Stevens is the director and shareholder of one of our city’s only rooftop bars, Mr Brightside – named after the song by the global chart-topping rock band, The Killers. Mr Brightside is right in the heart of the city – the jewel in the crown of the recently refurbished Public Trust building. This tailor-made space has stellar views across the city, where you can see The Terrace, the Avon, snow-capped mountains, and Cathedral Square from the back. The roof retracts for the warmer nights, so patrons can quite literally feel on top of the world. With the ability to host close to 150 people, Jeremy slyly describes the location as a venue “suitable for the Canterbury environment”. Winter means the space transforms to be almost completely covered. “The last view of the sun on the terrace means sundown at Mr Brightside is incredibly special.” Jeremy is also the general manager of the Aikmans Hospitality group – this includes Aikmans Bar, Café Valentino, and Brigittes of Merivale. He describes the lofty aim of bringing Mr Brightside to our city as “financially ridiculous”. “Back in 2018, I viewed the building for a possible ground-floor restaurant and basement prohibition-style bar. During the viewing of the building, I was caught up in the view from the small add-on office on the roof. With further discussion with the landlord, we converted the office into what is now Mr Brightside.” Being a historic building meant some of his ideas for the structure were a challenge, but the final offering gives a pavilion-like look from the street and a well-sheltered area for all seasons. The added glass roof inserts and opening section give the perfect amount of light and shade. Jeremy mentions that word of mouth was key for the success of the bar and meant there was zero need for paid publicity. “I posted once on social media about our opening, and ever since, the venue has been busier than we expected.” It seems things aren’t slowing down, coming up to its second year anniversary. After initially being open from 3pm, there’s now a lunch offering daily. The team has grown to close to 20 people, and they all pride themselves on quick, professional service. The bar is an R20 environment, a decision patrons support. “It just gives 18 and 19 years olds a venue to look forward to in the future!” A partnership with Ecospirits provides the bar with five-litre refillable tanks, including Roots Gin and Plantation Rum. “Not only do we save on trash bills, but using the eco-spirit system eliminates the use of glass bottles saving 30 grams of emissions for every cocktail made.” So what is next in the summer pipeline for Mr Brightside? A new line-up of food and cocktails, a Halloween-themed party, sponsored by Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and more leading up to Xmas. An expansion into other parts of the country hasn’t been ruled out, nor have new venues in Christchurch. Jeremy says you will have to watch this space closely. When asked if The Killers were scheduled in for a cheeky after-show beverage at the bar following their local performance this month, Jeremy said, “I wouldn’t be able to tell you if they were! You’ll just have to come and see for yourself.”

mrbrightside.co.nz

WORDS Kim Newth PHOTOS Joshua Brosnahan

Few people know the unique character of the wicket block at Hagley Oval better than Rupert Bool, who helped build the ground in 2012 and has had a decade of experience managing the turf there. Getting the pitch at its best is a big responsibility, particularly for big international games, like the BLACKCAPS vs India ODI coming up at the end of November. “You know there will be millions of people watching all around the world, so there is that pressure to prepare the pitch to the highest standard possible for the players, to ensure it’ll be a good game,” Rupert says. “It’s the preparation you’re putting in two to three months beforehand that makes a good pitch.”

This month (October) sees the start of the T20 international tri-series, with Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan batting it out at Hagley through to the final on 14 October.

Hagley Oval is also hosting men’s and women’s domestic competitions this summer.

Whether it’s Canterbury domestic cricket or an international game, Rupert says the focus of the grounds team is always on producing a high-quality surface. It’s a constant and complex business getting good grass cover in the right condition at the right time. “You’re always doing different things: managing moisture, applying fertiliser, grooming the grass, and rolling. It’s a cumulative process that involves a lot of effort and attention to detail.”

Rupert grew up in Rangiora and went to high school at Christchurch Boys’, honing his love for cricket along the way. He got his start in turf management as a casual helper during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln in 2000. “I knew I was a rubbish cricketer, but I wanted to be involved in the sport. The experience at Lincoln really sparked my interest in turf management, so I then went straight into a three-year apprenticeship with New Zealand Cricket.” Before returning to Christchurch in 2012, Rupert worked at the cricket ground Seddon Park in Hamilton. His career in grounds management now spans 20 years. A satisfying career highlight earlier this year was managing the turf at Hagley Oval for the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the same tournament that originally kicked off his interest in the field in 2000. Rupert says the wicket block at Hagley Oval is exceptionally well built and rates the quality of the playing surface and outfields as world-class. Hagley Oval has received accolades for the quality of its pitch, acknowledged over the past decade at NZ Cricket turf management awards. The block’s 11 cricket pitches are made from Kakanui clay, covered with ryegrass … and not any old ryegrass either. “It’s a type of ryegrass (Spartacus) that’s bred for sports turf. It’s grown from very high-end seed that we’re lucky to have available in New Zealand.” Having served at Hagley Oval for 10 years, Rupert has recently stepped into a broader role as Hagley Park Manager, with part of the role mentoring young up-and-comers starting their own sports turf careers.

For tickets to the 2022/23 summer of cricket, go to tickets.nzc.nz