11 November 2024: Parakiore a springboard for Diving New Zealand’s Olympic hopes
New Zealand divers will soon be on a level playing field with their international counterparts, as the assembly of the state-of-the-art dive pool and tower is now underway at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. The purpose-built dry diving space, where harnessed athletes land in a foam pit, is also a game-changer. In addition to dry diving, Parakiore will feature wide platforms essential for synchronised diving training, a major component of the sport. Read more(external link).
1 October 2024: Versatile indoor sports courts nearing completion
Work on one of New Zealand's most versatile indoor court spaces is nearing completion, with 3500 metres of line markings now on the floor at Christchurch's under-construction Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. Read more(external link).
10 September 2024: Competition pool installation underway
A significant milestone for aquatics infrastructure in the South Island has been reached, with the construction of the 50-metre competition pool now underway at Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. The competition pool will also feature a state-of-the-art movable floor at one end, designed to vary the pool depth from 2.2 metres for competitive swimming to ground level, ideal for events and dryland activities. Read more(external link).
9 August 2024: Parakiore court floor installation underway
The Olympic Games may be underway in Paris, but in Christchurch court flooring of the same calibre is being installed at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. The 110 x 45m community court area has enough space for six indoor netball/basketball/futsal courts along with line markings for volleyball, badminton, handball, korfball, and floorball. Read more(external link).
13 June 2024: 20,000 native plants and trees at Parakiore
One of the largest planting projects in central Christchurch is underway. Almost 20,000 new plants and trees are being planted around the under-construction Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. 933 trees up to three metres tall are being added to the site, along with 18,613 plants. Read more(external link).
27 October 2023: Christchurch City Council responds to Parakiore disputes claim
Christchurch residents and groups might be forced to wait until at least mid-2025 to use the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, after further delays and a legal dispute between the delivery agency and contractor were announced today.
The new delay stems from a cost escalation dispute between the contractor, CPB, and the Crown’s delivery agency, Rau Paenga (formerly Ōtākaro Ltd). CPB has increased its claim from an additional $212m to $439m to complete Parakiore. The major anchor project is more than 70 per cent complete. Read more(external link).
27 February 2023: HPI announced as operator of Parakiore's movement arts studios
Local organisation Human Performance Incorporated (HPI) has been appointed as the operator of the new moving arts studios at Parakiore. HPI will oversee the running of the $7 million, three-studio MOVE centre at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre that will cater to dance, dive-acrobatics and circo-arts. Read more(external link).
2 December 2022: Completion delay announcement
Ōtākaro announced that Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre construction is now expected to be completed in 2024 and open in 2025. Read more(external link)
August 2022: Latest newsletter
It's been more than 20 years since a competition dive tower was constructed in New Zealand, so anyone travelling along Moorhouse Ave is witnessing a unique piece of construction.
Recently the supports for the 5m and 7.5m dive platforms were added to the tower. Read more.(external link)
23 February 2022: Christchurch getting NZ's biggest indoor hydroslides
Five eel-inspired hydroslides have begun to reveal themselves at Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, with installation work now underway. Read more on Newsline(external link).
8 April 2021: Parakiore name gifting
Councillors voted to accept a special name gifted by local rūnanga Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri for the complex. The facility's new name, Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, pays homage to the youngest son of Ngāi Tahu chief Tūrākautahi, Parakiore, who was renowned for his amazing running speed and athleticism. Read more on Newsline(external link).
7 September 2020: Performance Movement Centre opportunity opens
Now's the time to apply for the exciting opportunity to manage Performance Movement Centre studio spaces in the Metro Sports Facility. Applications close at noon Monday 2 November 2020. Register your interest on GETS(external link) using reference number TD22941818.
17 August 2020: Call for feedback on NZ’s first aquatic sensory experience
Metro Sports Facility will include a New Zealand-first aquatic sensory experience area specially designed for disabled people. The Council is inviting people to provide feedback on the high-tech multi-sensory environment that’s designed to benefit people of all ages and abilities, particularly those with disability. Read more on Newsline.(external link)
26 May 2020: Metro Sports Facility’s eco-friendly energy system a New Zealand first
Sewage will heat up Christchurch’s new Metro Sports Facility. In a first for New Zealand, the country’s largest aquatic and indoor recreation venue will utilise an unlikely heat source that runs under St Asaph Street towards the wastewater treatment plant. Read more on Newsline.(external link)
