Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Work set to start on Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub

Work set to start on Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub
February 28, 2017

The countdown has begun on the development of Christchurch’s new Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, with New Zealand Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman joining Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel to mark the commencement of work on the precinct’s long-awaited athletics track.

An afternoon of sports, speeches and sausage sizzles saw Mayor Dalziel gifted with contributions from Sport NZ, New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) and SKY TV towards the Sports Hub. Development will begin with a new, international-standard athletics track that will serve the Canterbury community and help Christchurch secure national and international events.

Mayor Dalziel explained “we owe so much to New Zealand Community Trust, Sport NZ and SKY TV for helping us get Ngā Puna Wai across the line.

“NZCT and Sport NZ are each contributing $1 million, and this is SKY’s fifth $200,000 donation in five years towards the recovery in Christchurch. NZCT and Sport NZ have each gone over and above with their support for Canterbury sport since the 2011 earthquakes, and we can’t give enough thanks.

“The first diggers will be onsite in March, and work on the athletics track is set to begin in April. It will be the catalyst for what’s going to be a lot of exciting development at Ngā Puna Wai over the next two years.”

Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub will combine facilities for four sports – the athletics track, hockey turfs, tennis courts and rugby league fields along with community sports fields – on a 32-hectare section of Ngā Puna Wai in southwest Christchurch.

The first stage of the development will see the athletics track up and running in January 2018, and the other sport surfaces, facilities and community playing fields opening from autumn 2018.

Mayor Dalziel added “the project originated post-earthquake, when a number of sports codes in Canterbury lost their home venues.

“Athletics Canterbury lost the track at QEII, and in the search for an ideal location for a replacement, other sports codes with damaged facilities – and about 14,000 keen members between them – all came on board.

“The demand for getting involved in sport is as strong as ever in Canterbury – in fact, demand is growing in a number of areas – and the sporting community has been chomping at the bit for Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub for some time now.

“This Hub means all the sports can share facilities and costs. We are well on track to reclaiming our status as the sporting capital of New Zealand.”

Today’s event was attended by Athletics Canterbury, Canterbury Hockey, Canterbury Rugby League, Tennis Canterbury and Sport Canterbury, who are partnering with Christchurch City Council to deliver the sports hub. Canterbury local and 2016 Rio Olympic medallist Tom Walsh was also on hand to celebrate with children and young athletes from local schools.

Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub is envisioned as a long-term project, with in excess of $40 million required for the first stage. $37.5 million is already ring-fenced for the core playing surfaces, and as fundraising continues throughout 2017, more of the hub will be developed. This first stage will then act as the catalyst for future growth.

Images: Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman fires the starting gun on development of the athletics track at Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, with pupils from Spreydon Primary and Aidanfield Christian schools (top) and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel is presented with $1 million from Sport NZ by Minister Coleman (below).

28th July 2016 - WHARENUI RECREATION CENTRE STADIUM REOPENS

6th July 2016 - NGA PUNA WAI DESIGN TEAM APPOINTED

20th April 2016 - SPORT NZ TO PUBLISH GUIDANCE ON PLANNING AND OPERATING AFFORDABLE SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES 

30th December 2015 - DESIGN TEAM APPOINTED FOR CHRISTCHURCH METRO SPORTS FACILITY

18th December 2015 - CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL TO RECEIVE $635 MILLION POST-EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT

21st August 2015 - CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL ADVANCES NEW EASTERN RECREATION AND SPORT CENTRE 

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


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Myrtha Pools

Founded in 1961, Myrtha Pools® quickly became Italy’s première swimming pool company, and has since grown into one of the world's leading swimming pool construction…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Play / Waterparks / Wellness

 
 

Augmented Creative

Augmented Creative is an open organization of like-minded and highly dedicated, creative people who conceive, plan and execute visual solutions. We pursue new and innovative visual ideas to help…

read more

Arts / Attractions / Consultants / Design / Tourism

 
 

GymMaster

Contact: Australia: (+61) 1800 849 001 New Zealand: (+64) 3 668 5727 International: (+1) 415 915 0375

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

State Wide Pool Services

Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd

read more

Aquatics

 
 

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

Hadley/Series Australia Pty Ltd

Hadley Australia and Series Australia Pty Ltd are the leading quality theatre chair manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. The businesses work closely with architects, interior designers and…

read more

Arts / Culture / Design / Entertainment / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business