Government gives financial approval for new Christchurch multi-use arena

Christchurch City Council’s plans to develop a new multi-use arena to replace the city’s former Lancaster Park have been boosted by the New Zealand Government’s approval of its $220 million allocation to the project.

Part of a $300 million Crown fund for the city rebuild, which will be made available following a cost-sharing agreement with the council. Under that agreement, the Council will put $253 million into the arena, to be built on a central city site as a replacement for Lancaster Park, the city’s former major sports venue which damaged beyond repair by the 2011 earthquake.

Commenting on the funding, Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods advised “this funding brings Canterbury’s much needed arena one step closer. This will be a huge boost for the city and it’s important we get it right.

“That’s why we are bringing the sporting codes, local businesses and the entertainment sector together to help us make sure the design is right and the building is fit for purpose. We will be holding a series of workshops with each of these sectors to hear what they need from the arena, and how it can be made to work best for them.

“Of the $300 million the Government has put on the table to speed up the city’s recovery, council has requested that $220 million go towards the new arena. We have agreed to that request and ring fenced that money to ensure it’s available for the arena. That means the project can move forward with confidence.

“From here a full investment case will be developed to ensure the project is well designed and stacks up financially. These workshops will ensure the business case is strong. We are hopeful of seeing early construction work begin in 2021.”

With Lancaster Park unusable after the February 2011 earthquake and the temporary 18,6000 capacity AMI  Stadium originally only being expected to be in use until 2016, a major arena has been seen as one of the priorities for the rebuilt city.

Explaining the need, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel advised “once it was known that Lancaster Park would have to be demolished this became a much higher priority for our residents. There was significant support for the multi-use arena through last year’s 10-year budget process, so we brought-forward by two years the funding commitment to make it happen. Today’s announcement gives us certainty and confidence to push ahead.

“We’ve already started advanced technical works on-site to get the project moving and we’re expecting to see early ground investigations underway by the end of the year. This is a project for the people of our region and we want to take them along with us every step of the way. Today’s meeting was an example of the sort of engagement that will continue right across our community. It’s a great project for Canterbury and today’s milestone sees it one step closer.”

The new stadium will stand separate to the city’s Metro Sports Facility.

Images: Artist's impressions of the planned new arena.