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 Centre Floor Plan
Library wing and courtyard from pedestrian entry
Courtyard at library wing viewing the foyer area
Library looking over the courtyard toward Waterloo Road
Pool hall looking toward Creative Activities Room
Foyer looking past reception toward the Espresso Bar
Library looking toward courtyard
Pool hall, including lane pool and hydrotherapy pool
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).
Latest news
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.
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.
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)
Facilities
- 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
Gifted name
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.
Milestones
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).