About Us
History
Christchurch Bridge Clubrooms
1954
The foundation members of the Christchurch Bridge Club were former members of the Crockfords Club committee who, when faced with continued rent increases, decided to purchase their own Club rooms. When a motion to this effect was narrowly lost at a special General meeting, the committee resigned and met on 24 April 1952 to form the Christchurch Bridge Club. In May a property at 319 Cambridge Terrace was purchased for $3,800, and in July, having more than the requisite 50 members, the club became affiliated to the NZ Contract Bridge Association.
In the latter half of 1968, with a vastly increased membership, the club purchased the site at 21 Nova Place. Here the first purpose-designed bridge club building in New Zealand was constructed, at a cost of $41,000, and occupied on 21 August 1969.
It is interesting to note that the 319 Cambridge Terrace and 21 Nova Place sites are diagonally opposite each other, on either side of the Avon River and are a mere 700 metres apart. Coincidentally, the Maori name for the area is Ōtākaro, "the place of a game", so called because Maori children played on the river banks while the adults gathered food.
In November 1975, during extensions and alterations, fire destroyed the clubrooms. However, Bridge continued over the fence in the Christchurch Rugby Club’s gymnasium through to April 1977 during the reconstruction period.
During the 22 February 2011 earthquake the clubrooms were completely destroyed again. With no rooms to operate from, members played at Bowls Papanui, Condell Avenue, until May 2013 when the newly constructed building was opened on 1 June 2013.
Christchurch Bridge Clubrooms
2021
This modern, architecturally designed facility, located just off Barbadoes Street, can be divided into three playing spaces. In addition, there is a teaching room, an administration office, a dealing room, a director’s platform and a well-equipped kitchen and bar. Carparking in front of the building is attractively landscaped with a well-planned traffic layout. Less mobile users can either be dropped off under cover of the portico at the front door or park in reserved spaces nearby.
Annual Reports
To see our Annual Reports and Financial Statements, please refer to the link below.
Club Committee
The committee consists of three officers: President, Vice President, and Treasurer; with six elected committee members.
Marilyn Copland
Vice President
Portfolios: Policies/Welfare/Communication
Deborah Matthews
Committee member
Portfolios: Website/Convenors
Club Constitution
The Christchurch Bridge Club Incorporated is a registered charitable organisation governed according to its rules as set down in the Club Constitution, registered with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies
Latest News
Weekly Update 6/8-May-2026
Weekly Update 30-April-2026
Tournament Results: Ashburton: Mid-Canterbury Pairs 1st - Jessie Pelenato / Leon Meier 3rd - Graeme Tuffnell / Jan Alabaster Green section: 1st - Tina Sims / Bridget O’Brien 2nd - Margaret Fraser / Richard Williams Anniversary Pairs: This Saturday, 10am. This is a Club member only handicapped tournament. Please pay the entry fee $25 by this Thursday to allow the payments to be checked off. You can pay cash or use the EFTPOS at the Club (ask Thea) or pay on-line. Road Closures: Due to the Super Rugby round being held at the new stadium all this weekend, road closures will be in place. Roads will be closed on parts of Barbadoes Street, Madras Street between Hereford Street and St Asaph Street and streets close by around the stadium. Access to the Club will still be open but maybe allow more time to get there. Beginner Bridge Classes: The next class starts Monday 4th May at 7.30pm. Tutor: David Taylor. Please let your friends, family & work colleagues know. Daytime sessions: With a lot of new apartments in the area, there is an increase of children around. Can we ask when leaving the car park particularly for the daytime sessions that you keep the speed down when going down Nova Place. Canterbury Congress: 16/17 May: Competitions for all levels. See noticeboard or the flyer on the Home page of this website for further information. An experienced open pair from Auckland are looking for team-mates. Contact the office for further information.
Club Newsletters
Christchurch Bridge Club Sponsors and Advertisers
These businesses are supporting our Club:
- Airentals
- Apex Car Rental
- Arvida St Albans Retirement Village
- Brain Health
- Cunningham Taylor Law
- Hamilton Hindin Greene
- Kovacs Design Furniture
- Maxwell Plumbing
- Papanui Press
- Westende Jewellers
