Christchurch multi-purpose Hornby Centre has strong start since opening

Christchurch’s Hornby Centre has had a strong first three months of operation. Since opening its doors in April, Christchurch’s newest pool, library and customer service hub has welcomed over 80,000 visitors.  

Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation, Sports and Events Nigel Cox says the mixed used site has been “a winner” and adds “a typical visit could include taking an aqua fitness class at the pools, picking up a new read at the library, registering the dog at the customer service desk, and maybe even a bit of 3D printing in the creative space.” 

Cox advised that the new indoor pools have had more than 30,000 visitors since April and noted “new enrolments for Swimsmart lessons have almost hit 500 since we opened, which is a great first three months.”

A range of aqua fitness classes are also on offer, along with an inflatable obstacle course on Sundays.  

Following the impressive start, Council anticipates numbers to pick up even further when heading towards the warmer months.

The customer service desk has also recorded over 1800 enquiries since opening.

The new library, which relocated from its former site on Goulding Avenue, has seen a huge spike in the number of items cycling through each month. 

Acting Head of Libraries Elaine Sides shared “the number of items being checked out or returned each month has almost doubled. Around 25,000 items are coming through monthly, up from roughly 13,000 at our previous site.

“The new creative spaces have also been a hit, with regular bookings from schools, eSports groups, and Rocket Club. Our drop-in sessions are picking up steam as well. These are a great way for people to come in and see everything on offer.”

The Auahatanga Creative Space is equipped with a wide variety of tech equipment for customers to design, build, invent and create. 

“Our holiday programmes for this term were fully booked and we’re excited to be piloting a new school programme called Aquabots next term,” adds Sides. 

The Aquabots challenge involves school teams designing and building underwater vehicles to compete in themed challenges with other teams across the country. 

“Between the pools and the creative technologies suite, Matatiki is the perfect spot to introduce this fun challenge,” continued Sides. 

Matatiki Hornby Centre is located at 25 Smarts Road, in Kyle Park. 

Learn more about Matatiki Hornby Centre.

Learn more about the Auahatanga Creative Space

Image. Credit: Christchurch City Council