Christchurch advances plans for post-earthquake sports hub

Plans for the post-earthquake rebuilding of Christchurch now include a proposal for a new 'sports hub' for the city, to be developed at the Nga Puna Wai reserve, beside the Canterbury Agricultural Park in south west Christchurch.

Christchurch City Council staff and other stakeholders have identified the 86 hectare site as the preferred location for a new athletics track to replace the one lost at QEII Park.

Now, following strong support from the wider Christchurch recreational and sporting community, the Council is to soon receive a report on the development of the site.

In its 2012/13 Annual Plan the Council set aside $6.6 million for an athletics track to replace the one lost at QEII in the earthquakes. With additional sports facilities requiring replacement following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, the Council is keen to develop the site as clubs and community groups.

Introducing the sports hub concept, Council Development Manager Simon Battrick anticipates that the development will see clubs and community groups combine resources to build, maintain and use shared facilities and services.

Battrick explains "when backed by sound business practice this model can cater for a wide variety of groups, foster club spirit, and lead to increased participation and membership rates.

"Sports hubs are widely recognised nationally and internationally as an effective and efficient way of providing sport and recreation facilities for communities."

Developing the sports hub is consistent with the planning principles of the Council's Draft Metropolitan Sports Facilities Plan 2012 and the Spaces and Places Plan 2012 and, Battrick adds, "it also follows the Council practice of avoiding unnecessary duplication of facilities and encouraging co-operation between different sporting groups.

"There is considerable population growth in the west of the city and a sports hub is an innovative way of providing much needed sports facilities and services. It also offers greater flexibility to accommodate changing patterns of sports participation."

Nga Puna Wai was chosen as the preferred location for further investigation for the following reasons:

Council owned: the reserve is Council owned eliminating the need to purchase additional land

Sporting use: The reserve was set aside as a recreation and sporting reserve in 2010 as part of the development of a park management plan

Easy to get to: There is potential for good linkage to the existing transport network.

Population Growth: The park is close to major south west growth areas of the city such as Aidanfield/Wigram Skies

Space: The size and shape of the land lends itself to the sports hub concept with large open green space and the potential for future growth

Land stability: Geotechnical investigations show the southern half of the site is good quality land. Although the northern half is not as good, it would still be suitable for uses such as grassed playing fields or car parking if required

Zoning: The majority of the area is already zoned for recreation such as tennis courts, goal posts and toilets/changing rooms.

The sports hub would feature an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standard artificial athletics track to replace the one destroyed in the earthquakes.

Many other sports amenities were damaged by the earthquakes and there is potential to include other sporting facilities in the hub. Tennis and hockey have already shown strong interest in the concept, and the Council will work with them, existing users and other stakeholders who wish to be involved.

Since 1997 the adjoining Canterbury Agricultural Park has hosted the annual 'A&P Show', run by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

For more information, contact Simon Battrick on 03 941 8999, E: NgaPunaWai@ccc.govt.nz, www.futurechristchurch.co.nz/facilities-rebuild/ng%C4%81-puna-wai-sports-hub

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