Joint work between the Government and Christchurch City Council has got the central city sporting facilities back on track – with a budget blowout on the Metro Sports Facility brought into line and plans for the stadium business case fast tracked, Minister Megan Woods has announced.

“Just a few months ago when this Government came to office, there were big problems with the plan for sporting projects in the Central City – The Metro Sports Facility was originally due to open in 2016 but was still just an empty lot with a $75 million cost blowout on its budget and there was still no certainty on the shape or cost of Christchurch’s stadium. I’m proud to say that we’ve been able to work quickly and closely with the Christchurch City Council to put things right. 

“I’m thrilled to announce that Ōtākaro has completed the detailed design of the Metro Sports Facility, and is now ready to go to market to confirm the final cost of the project. Through a combination of changes to the procurement approach and to the final design, the estimated cost of the project has been reduced by over $50 million. That means this long awaited facility is on track to open by the end of 2021 – the timeline we gave in November last year.

“The detailed design work completed by Ōtākaro has removed cosmetic elements of the design that were adding significant cost. This has allowed savings not only in the cost of construction but also the ongoing operating cost which will be borne by ratepayers.

“The Crown and the council have also worked together to fast-track work on the stadium to the point where Councilcan begin the detailed work. Obviously, the final stadium design will be subject to a business case, but we foresee a roofed stadium large enough to allow the city to host major test matches as well as entertainment events. Council now has the option to consider as part of its Long Term Plan deliberations bringing timelines on the stadium forward. That means Christchurch is closer than ever to having a permanent stadium.

“A clear future for both of these projects will also provide welcome certainty for inner city businesses who can now make investment decisions knowing these projects are coming and are back on track.

“I want to thank officials at Ōtākaro and the Christchurch City Council for their excellent co-operation over the last few months. Most of all I want to thank Sport Canterbury who have been integral to finally getting a way for Canterbury toget the facilities it needs. Together, we’ve been able to get real progress on projects that have been struggling and add a big boost of momentum to the recovery of our central city,” says Megan Woods.

MSF Changes Fact Sheet

Inclusions:

• 10 lane 50m competition pool plus operable 1.5m wide boom;
• 1000 aquatic spectator seats;
• 20m x 25.4m diving pool;
• Aquatic leisure facility;
• Five hydroslides;
• Learn to swim pool;
• Warm water pool/spa/sauna/steam room;
• Birthday party room;
• Multipurpose indoor courts with capacity for nine netball courts and other indoor sports codes;
• 2500 retractable spectator seats in the Show Court;
• Gym/weights facility;
• Group fitness rooms;
• Allied health facilities;
• Performance movement centre;
• Aquatic sensory space;
• High performance sports centre with facilities for coaching and training;
• Sports House – shared administration area for regional sport;
• Facility administration areas;
• VIP and media areas;
• Café and supporting and satellite F&B facilities; and
• Facility parking.

Deletions and design changes:

• More affordable finishes inside and outside building (e.g. replace bluestone with tile or concrete)
• Delete south entrance canopy
• Reduce areas of skylights and glazing
• Reduce architectural features of buildings (e.g. fins on façade, northern canopy etc.)
• Aquatic sensory space to be fitted out by other funding sources

• Childcare facility not considered necessary/not required at this time due to other community and commercial centres likely to be nearby.
• External sports activation and multi-use games area
• Compact car parking to smaller area