Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility unlikely to open before the end of 2024

The completion date for Christchurch’s new Metro Sports Facility is reported to have been subject to a further delayed again, with its expected completion now not expected until December 2024.

Costs for the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre have also increased, with the $317 million budget for the facility now standing $365 million.

The added costs are due to the impact of the pandemic, inflation and insurance increases, the disposal of contaminated soil and reported subsidence issues on part of the site.

The construction of Centre also saw a major company involved in the project placed into liquidation in April. Australian-based mechanical services company Benmax which was contracted to deliver the mechanical services the centre, folded its New Zealand operations.

The build is being managed by Rau Paenga, the crown infrastructure delivery agency formerly known as Ōtākaro, the Christchurch rebuild agency.

Advising that a replacement mechanical services provider was secured quickly and the change has not had a significant impact on the construction programme, Rau Paenga acting Chief Executive, John O’Hagan recently stated “CPB contractors is shifting its current forecast completion date from late November 2024 to mid-December 2024.

“This will be followed by Council’s commissioning period, which will determine when the facility can be opened.

“As was reported during the initial stages of the Covid response, additional project funding would be required from the Crown to cover the costs associated with stopping work on the site, the inflationary period that followed, and amending the project insurances. This has amounted to just under $30 million.”

O’Hagan said Rau Paenga has provided a further $6 million for the disposal of some additional contaminated soil from the site, adding “as is the case with any construction project, changes and substitutions to materials and equipment happen throughout the building process, so contingency funding was set aside for this. $11.4 million has been drawn down from the project’s contingency.”

“(Christchurch City ) Council has allocated $1.2 million for the fit out of spaces like the aquatic sensory experience, a multi-sensory space that can be used by people with disabilities.”

Once completed, the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre will be the largest aquatic and indoor sport venue of its kind in New Zealand.

Image: The Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre - shown under construction - is not expected to be completed until December 2024.