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Christchurch’s new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre has officially been handed over from the Crown to Christchurch City Council, marking the start of the commissioning phase ahead of opening later this year.
Crown Infrastructure Delivery chief executive John O’Hagan says the completion of Parakiore represents the final chapter in the Crown’s Anchor Projects programme — a key part of the city’s post-earthquake recovery and regeneration.
“The handover of Parakiore marks the completion of the Crown-led Anchor Project programme, a cornerstone of Christchurch’s post-earthquake recovery and urban regeneration,” John says. “These projects were about more than bricks and mortar — they were about restoring confidence, creating spaces for people and setting Christchurch up for the future. This is a proud moment for the city and all the planners, designers, engineers, project managers, contractors and community partners who believed in the vision and worked through immense challenges to make it real.”
John says delivering the project required a significant effort, involving 2.9 million construction hours, up to 400 people on site at peak, and nearly 4000 workers in total.
“That scale of commitment shows just how much this project means to Christchurch and New Zealand. I’d like to thank everyone involved, especially my team at CID.”
“A major asset for the community”
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says the handover marks the beginning of the final phase before doors open to the public.
“We just can’t wait to complete the fit-out and get the doors open to the community,” Phil says. “Parakiore is going to be absolutely amazing for everyone. You can do it all under one roof — swim, dive, dance, shoot hoops, play pickleball — the choice is yours.”
“Christchurch is on a roll and with Parakiore right at the heart of the city, it’s already contributing to that momentum by attracting a number of exciting national events.”
New Zealand’s largest indoor sport and aquatics facility
At 32,000 square metres, Parakiore will be New Zealand’s largest indoor sport and aquatics facility. It includes:
A 50-metre competition pool and 25 by 20 metre dive pool (five metres deep) with 1,000 poolside seats
A large aquatic leisure zone and Sensory Aqua Centre for inclusive participation
Nine indoor courts, including a three-court Show Court with retractable grandstands for 2,500 spectators
Fitness and movement studios, and a High Performance Sport New Zealand training base
A hydroslide tower with five slides, including the trapdoor “Looping Rocket” ride
Next steps
Christchurch City Council will now undertake a commissioning programme to test systems, train staff, finalise operating procedures and support tenants as they move in. The Council will confirm the public opening date as commissioning progresses.
CID will now step back from delivery, maintaining support for close-out activities as required.
