Pitch Perfect: Eden Park’s iconic portable pitch mover gets comprehensive overhaul
Aug 13, 2024- Today, as the Eden Park team are in final preparations for this Saturday’s historic All Blacks test, they’re also moving the stadium’s iconic portable cricket pitch mover off-site for the first time in 10 years for a comprehensive 100-day service.
Unofficially known as “Terry the Transporter” and affectionally called “OG” by Eden Park’s turf team, this critical piece of equipment has been an integral part of stadium operations for two decades and highlights the complex nature of operating a multi-purpose facility.
Nick Sautner, CEO of Eden Park, stated, “This major service underpins our commitment to maintaining world-class facilities. Terry [the pitch mover] has been used to lift the cricket pitch in and out over 100 times and is essential to enabling Eden Park to be a truly hybrid, multi-purpose venue as it allows us to seamlessly transition between various sporting and entertainment events.”
“This unique piece of technology could be classed as the unsung hero of our versatility as a venue. It enables us to quickly switch between cricket and rugby to maximise our event schedule year-round while also maintaining a playing surface that is considered one of the best globally. Without it, we simply couldn’t offer the diverse range of world-class events that Eden Park is well-known for.
The maintenance and refurbishment of the portable pitch mover will be carried out by MacFarlane and Murray, local fabricators and engineers, showcasing the specialised expertise that is available in New Zealand.
In a fun twist, Eden Park has launched a public competition to officially rename the Transporter, which has been informally known as “Terry” for years.
To enter the competition and have the chance to win the Ultimate Eden Park Supporters’ Package worth $850, send an email to info@edenpark.co.nz with your suggestion before 9am, Monday 2 September 2024. Make sure you also provide your name and phone number; the winner will receive:
- 2 Heritage jerseys – customised
- Eden Park Stadium Tour – family pass
- Sky Sport Rooftop Walk experience – family pass
- An exclusive home lawn pack designed by Eden Park Turf Manager Blair Christiansen
