A new Hornby library, customer services, and recreation and sports centre is under construction at Kyle Park in Hornby for the growing southwest community.

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Hornby library, customer services, and rec and sport centre

With more than 12,000 new homes expected in Christchurch’s southwest by 2044, the Council has approved a $39.9 million budget for facilities to serve the growing population.

Construction on Matatiki: Hornby Centre began in November 2021 and is due for completion in late 2023.

For more information about the project, email HornbyFacility@ccc.govt.nz or subscribe to our newsletter(external link)

3 May 2023

Christchurch City Council is looking for an operator to lease the new cafe within the Matatiki: Hornby Centre. 

The café will be located in the reception area of the centre and will include an area for indoor and outdoor customer seating.

Anyone interested in the opportunity to run the café can download the Request for Proposal documents via the Government Electronic Tender Service website(external link). Proposals must be submitted by midday Wednesday 14 June 2023.

Read more(external link).

23 November 2022

The new Matatiki: Hornby Centre currently under construction in the city’s southwest will continue to be delivered to scope in spite of challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. 

Read more.(external link)

16 August 2022

The Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board has voted to accept Ngāi Tūāhuriri’s gifted name of Matatiki for the new community facility in Kyle Park, Hornby.

The new centre will be called Matatiki: Hornby Centre, in line with the Council’s naming convention for other similar facilities.(external link)

Read more(external link).

  • Library
  • Lane pool
  • Learn to swim pool
  • Hydrotherapy pool
  • Toddlers' wet play area
  • Spa pool
  • Espresso bar
  • Creative activities room
  • Multi-purpose rooms for meetings and study
  • Customer service area

Matatiki means spring of water in te Reo Māori. The name expresses the importance of water as a source of life and wellbeing. It also reflects the unique landscape and history of Christchurch’s southwest.

The name Matatiki was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Matapopore(external link), and formally accepted by the Council in August 2022.

Matatiki: Hornby Centre is located near the spring-fed headwaters of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote and Ōtākaro Avon Rivers. Historically, the waters were central to the way of life for Ngāi Tahu and an area of mahinga kai – an interconnected system which produces food and sustains life.

The Hornby area also sits over deep gravel layers which contain the underground aquifers that supply much of the city with fresh drinking water.

The name brings together aspects of the region’s past, acknowledging the importance of the natural landscape for mana whenua, and the future benefits that the Matatiki: Hornby Centre will provide to the community as a place of wellbeing and togetherness.

The name follows the naming convention of other Council facilities like Te Pou Toetoe: Linwood Pool and Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre.

17 August 2022

Official name confirmed

The Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board has voted to accept Ngāi Tūāhuriri’s gifted name of Matatiki for the new community facility.

The new centre will be called Matatiki: Hornby Centre, in line with the Council’s naming convention for other similar facilities. Read more(external link).

30 June 2022

Piling complete

Piling is now complete across the entire facility, including the 27 piles needed for the hydrotherapy pool. Read more(external link).

4 February 2022

Hydrotherapy pool fundraising underway

A hydrotherapy pool has been added to the list of new facilities being built for residents in the south-west of Christchurch, with community fundraising set to play a key role in allowing its addition. Read more.(external link)

22 November 2021

Construction starts

Construction of the Hornby Centre is now underway. Read more.(external link)

7 September 2021

Contractor appointed

The Council has appointed Naylor Love Canterbury to build the new multi-use centre. Read more.(external link)

26 February 2021

Site blessing

The Kyle Park site has been blessed ahead of work starting. Read more.(external link)

12 November 2020

Procurement plan approved

Councillors have approved the project’s procurement plan, which means the construction can now go out to tender. Read more.(external link)

8 October 2020

Concept designs approved

Architectural firm Warren and Mahoney developed the concept designs for the Hornby facility following discussions with the community. Read more.(external link)

30 April 2020

Progress continues

Progress on development of the new Hornby facility is underway, with no impact at this stage from COVID-19. Tonkin & Taylor have tested the ground at Kyle Park for landfill gas and the groundwater below the site, and have found nothing unexpected.

9 March 2020

First contractors appointed

The Council has now appointed Warren & Mahoney as the lead design consultant, Aecom as project managers, and Rawlinsons as quantity surveyors.

12 September 2019

Scope confirmed

Councillors have agreed on the scope of Hornby’s new library, customer services, recreation and sport centre. Read more.(external link)

9 July 2019

Approval of the reclassification of part of Kyle Park

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approved the reclassification of part of the reserve, along with management plan amendments, confirming the location for the facility after a years-long search. Read more.(external link)

17 June 2019

Hearings Panel backs change for Kyle Park

A Hearings Panel has recommended that the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board approves a change to the reserve classification for part of Kyle Park, along with management plan amendments. Read more.(external link)

1 May 2019

Strong response to Kyle Park consultation

More than 180 submissions were received on a proposed change to the reserve classification for Kyle Park. Read more.(external link)

11 March 2019

Consultation under way on change of use for Kyle Park

Consultation has begun on whether the Reserve Act classification on Kyle Park should be changed. Read more.(external link)

13 December 2018

Kyle Park preferred site for new pool and library

Christchurch City Council today approved Kyle Park as the preferred location for the new Hornby facility. Read more.(external link)

5 December 2018

New site eyed for Hornby community facilities

The Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board recommended Kyle Park as the site for the new facilities. Read the report to the Community Board(external link), and read more about the decision.(external link)

6 September 2018

Site search re-ignited

Christchurch City Council is working to quickly identify a new site where Hornby’s planned community facilities can be built. Read more.(external link)

6 July 2018

Board says no to Denton Park changes

At the recommendation of a Hearings Panel(external link), the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board decided not to change the Reserves Act classification on the south-east part of Denton Park. Read more.(external link)

4 May 2018

Panel hears final submissions on Denton Park

The Hearings Panel, made up of three Councillors and two Community Board members, considered 1475 written submissions, with 61 submitters requesting to be heard in person on proposed changes to the use of part of Denton Park. Read more.(external link)

19 January 2018

Council seeks views on Denton Park changes

Consultation officially opened(external link) on a proposal to alter the park’s Reserves Act classification so that the new Hornby facility can be built. Read more.(external link)

15 November 2017

Community leaders highlight need for pool

A high school principal, a community youth worker and an experienced Councillor have highlighted the growing need for a new pool – along with a local library – in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas. Read more.(external link)

24 August 2017

Council approves Denton Park site

Christchurch City Council voted in favour of using part of Denton Park(external link) as the site for Hornby’s planned new library, customer and leisure centre. Read more.(external link)

15 August 2017

Board picks site for new Hornby facility

Denton Park has been identified by the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board as the preferred site. Read more.(external link)

26 April 2017

Consultation opens on site for new Hornby facility

Where should Hornby’s new library, customer services and leisure centre go? And should they be all together under one roof or built as separate facilities? Read more.(external link)

23 November 2023

Matatiki to be delivered to scope despite construction and supply chain challenges

The  Matatiki: Hornby Centre currently will continue to be delivered to scope in spite of challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.

A staff report presented to Councillors in the public excluded section of this today’s Council meeting detailed the impacts of these challenges on the Centre project’s budget and timeframes. Read more(external link).