QEII Park site a preferred location for eastern Christchurch’s new aquatic and recreation centre

Christchurch City Council has approved QEII Park as its preferred site for a new aquatic, recreation and sport centre in the city’s north eastern suburbs.

To be developed subject to a feasibility study on the suitability of the site, including geotechnical investigations, plans for the new Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre have been developed by an advisory group including representatives from eight community and sport organisations – Youth Alive Trust, Rawhiti Community Sports Inc, Aranui Community Trust Incorporated Society (ACTIS), Tumara Park Residents’ Association, Avondale Residents’ Association, Coastal Spirit Football Club, Keep QEII in the East and Eastern Vision.

The Council now plans to explore potential partnership opportunities with businesses, community groups and agencies including the Ministry of Education. The results of this feasibility study and, if appropriate, the cost and timelines for the project will be reported back to the Council by April 2015.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says this a significant occasion for e the city’s north eastern suburbs, stating “before it was damaged in the earthquakes, QEII Recreation and Sport Centre was an extremely important hub for the east.

“We’re delighted to make this announcement about a new recreation and sport centre that will be used by residents of all ages in one of the very neighbourhoods that will benefit from the facility.”

Burwood/Pegasus Community Board Chair Andrea Cummings says identifying QEII as the preferred site for the new facility was a truly community-led process. A community advisory group was formed in June to recommend where the new recreation and sport centre should be located.

Councillor Cummings added “it’s fitting that the location of such a vital facility for the east should be chosen by the community for the community.

“Over the past few months we’ve had many robust discussions about where the facility should be located and we’re confident we’ve recommended a site that will serve residents well.

“This is not the end of the advisory group or the community’s involvement in the process but it’s a great big milestone.”

The Council agreed in June 2012 that a new facility should be built on the QEII site, or an agreed alternative location, to replace the damaged QEII Sport and Recreation Centre.

A budget of $30.5 million has been allocated to the Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre in the 2012/13 Annual Plan and subsequently brought into the Christchurch City Three Year Plan (TYP).

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has also given $6.5 million for water attractions at the facility.

Images show the QEII Park aquatic centre (bottom) and sport stadium (top) in their pre-earthquake state.

2nd August 2014 - LOSS OF QEII PARK STADIUM AFFECTS NEW ZEALAND SPORTS PERFORMANCE

16th August 2012 - QEII ATHLETICS TRACK GOES TO A GOOD CAUSE

19th April 2012 - QEII PARK AND RECREATION CENTRE TO BE DEMOLISHED

7th March 2011 - BLEAK OUTLOOK FOR CHRISTCHURCH’S QEII PARK COMPLEX