10 years after Christchurch's massive earthquake developer provides updates on new city aquatic facility and conference centre

With the city of Christchurch having just passed the 10-year anniversary of the massive earthquake that destroyed much of the city's CBD and claimed 185 lives Ōtākaro Limited has provided video updates on two major infrastructure projects that are approaching completion.

With the 6.3 magnitude earthquake of Tuesday 22nd February 2011 having caused severe damage, Ōtākaro Limited is delivering Crown-led Anchor Projects in the Christchurch CBD, with current projects including the new Metro Sports Facility and the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

Set to open in 2022, the Metro Sports Facility will be the largest indoor aquatic and recreation venue of its kind in New Zealand, accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

With the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan identifying the need for a world-class venue and centre of sporting excellence, the Metro Sports Facility will provide an aquatic, recreation and sports facility catering for the community as well as high performance sport in Canterbury.

Construction of the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is expected to be completed by the middle of next year, and, following a commissioning period, the first events are likely to be held in the second half of 2021.

Advising that the exact opening date and first event will be confirmed closer to the time, Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive, John Bridgman stated “COVID-19 has had a major impact on our construction projects, we have a tight construction market and there is some uncertainty going forward, but we are acutely aware business events take time to plan and we want to provide our clients with as much clarity as we can as the end of year draws near.

“The venue operator, ASM Global, continues to work with the organisers of proposed 2021 events to try to tailor events to their needs, where appropriate, to achieve economic benefits for the city.

“Unsurprisingly, any further COVID-19-related disruptions may change this timeline, but I am optimistic that by this time next year we’ll see Te Pae Christchurch delegates wandering along the Promenade to one of the city’s great restaurants.”

Beyond these two projects, construction on the new multi-use Christchurch stadium is expected to start later this year.

Main image shows the concept for the interior of the Metro Sports Facility. Credit: Myrtha Pools.