Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre edges towards completion

Christchurch’s long-awaited Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is moving towards completion, with construction teams pushing to complete its final stages.

Understood to be about 90% complete as of the end of April with construction on track to finish by October, no opening date has been announced for the facility.

Nigel Cox, Christchurch City Council’s Head of Recreation, Sports and Events, recently advised media that the Council could not set an opening date until “practical completion” of the project.

This handover process will see the building being checked and tested before being handed over to the Council by the Crown Infrastructure Delivery (CID), which managed the construction.

Cox told Christchurch’s The Press “practical completion isn't handed over on a specific date.

“It's handed over when everything meets what's required for the practical completion to be issued.”

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Once that is done, the Council will take control of the building installing what it needs to operate the facility, including management systems and pool, gym and sport equipment while also undertaking staff training.

This needs to be done before the venue hosts swimming and basketball competitions at Special Olympics’ 2025 National Summer Games from Wednesday 10th to Sunday 14th December.

Current work at the facility include the installation of scoreboards, the laying of wooden flooring in the 3,780 metre² community courts area, and the commencement of final pool installations. Landscaping work is also underway, with the planting of 19,500 plants and trees around the facility.

A key recent milestone was the installation of the liner for the 50 metre competition pool, which is undergoing watertightness testing before it can be filled.

One of the first zones set to be finished is the High Performance Sport New Zealand level, which includes a 60 metre indoor running track, throwing cage, gym, kitchen, and treatment and recovery spaces for elite athletes.

Experiencing significant delays during construction, the budget for the facility has risen from an estimated $317 million to a likely final cost in excess of $650 million.

The Council's financial contribution to the project is capped at $146.9 million with the remaining costs expected to be covered by the Crown, with additional expenditures arising from unforeseen challenges such as contaminated soil disposal and pandemic-related delays.

Upon completion, the centre will offer:

• A 10-lane, 50-metre competition swimming pool with seating for 1,000 spectators

• A separate diving pool

• Five hydroslides

• A large aquatic leisure area

• A fully equipped gym and fitness spaces

• Nine indoor courts suitable for netball, basketball, volleyball, and other sports

• A show court with retractable seating for 2,500 spectators

• Allied health facilities and a high-performance sports centre

• Café and food and beverage outlets

Images: Work in the pool area at the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.