Sir Basil Arthur Park is located in Washdyke with access from State Highway 8 just before the 100km/hr speed limit commences.

Sir Basil Arthur Park was developed after the former Timaru City Council of the day purchased a farm out there. The total land area is 67.50 hectares.

The land area occupied for sporting use is 11.2 hectares with the balance leased as a training farm for students of Ara Institute of Canterbury.

The site is well located being near the population centre of the District on the northern outskirts of the Timaru urban area closest to the communities of Pleasant Point, Temuka and beyond that Geraldine.

The soil is free draining and remains playable when many other Timaru sports fields are too saturated.

History

Sir Basil Arthur Park is named after a long time member of parliament for the Timaru electorate. Sir Basil Arthur ultimately became speaker of the House of Representatives.

Uses

The Washdyke Community and Sports Centre is used for indoor tennis, squash, football training and other minor uses.

The sports fields are used year round for football with a large proportion of junior football played here on Saturday mornings.

Representative teams train and play at the venue also.

Last updated: 16 Sep 2021