31 May 2017

Christchurch’s popular creative play and education centre is opening a pop-up in New Brighton.

Imagination Station is using a grant from Development Christchurch Limited’s Creating Momentum Regeneration Fund to open the pop-up in Carnaby Lane.

It will be open for 10 weeks from June 16, providing a fun space where children can use Lego and Duplo to engage in creative play and learning.

The entrance to Imagination Station's New Brighton pop-up.

Imagination Station's New Brighton pop-up will open its doors on June 16.

Imagination Station has been open in Christchurch’s central city since January 2015 and has made a significant contribution to city’s regeneration, bringing more than 115,000 visitors into CBD since its opening.Entry to the Imagination Station will be by koha (or donation).

The team now hope to replicate the successful model of regeneration through creative play on a smaller scale in New Brighton.

“The success of their central city location has had a really positive impact for families in Christchurch. We’re looking forward to seeing a similar impact being made in New Brighton, and in the East generally,’’ says Development Christchurch Chief Executive Rob Hall.

“I encourage people to come out to our beachside village and check it out”.

New Brighton’s pop-up Imagination Station will be open to the public from 9:30am to 5:30pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday during term time, plus every day during the July school holidays.

It will host a range of activities including creative play, after-school classes, birthday parties and school groups. Bookings can be made online.

A record will be kept of the number of people visiting the pop-up and Imagination Station may investigate finding a permanent home in New Brighton.