Planning commences for new Christchurch Performance Movement Centre

Christchurch’s new Performance Movement Centre is being developed as part of the Metro Sports Facility. Currently being built by Ōtākaro Limited, Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility will be the largest venue of its kind in New Zealand, with aquatic, education, fitness, recreation, sport and high performance opportunities under one roof.

Christchurch’s performing arts community is being asked how they would like to see the new Performance Movement Centre operated as when the Metro Sports Facility opens in early 2022, it will include three movement studios:

• A multi-purpose 200 metre2 space that can be divided into two smaller studios when required. Like the other two studios, it features a sprung timber floor suitable for dance, wall mounted mirrors and more.

• A 224 metre2 space with a high 14 metre ceiling, equipped with harness rigging and anchor points for circus arts.

• A 225 metre2 space with a dry dive platform and foam pit, trampoline, springboards, swivels and acrobatic harnesses.

All three studios will be organised around a central lobby, with changing rooms and full access for people with disabilities.

Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation, Sports and Events Nigel Cox advised that “the Performance Movement Centre has amazing spaces designed for a range of disciplines including dance, circus, drama, physical theatre, diving and gymsports.

“It will help make the performing arts accessible for people of all ages and abilities for generations to come.

"We're now planning how the Performance Movement Centre will be managed. Once we get that confirmed in early 2020, groups and individuals will be invited to formally register interest in using the Performance Movement Centre.”

Construction on the Metro Sports Facility began in June 2019.

Lower image shows an artist's impression of one of the studios within the Performance Movement Centre.