Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation Centre Set to Open December 17

Christchurch’s new indoor pool complex, the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, will officially open to the public on December 17, 2023, at 5:30 AM. The announcement was made by Mayor Phil Mauger on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone for the facility located on Moorhouse Ave in the city’s central area.

“It’s certainly been a long road, but I know the whole team is thrilled to be preparing for the first event, and then opening the doors to the public,” Mayor Mauger commented. The centre was formally handed over to the Christchurch City Council on October 31, and since then, the council has been focused on the fit-out, testing, and commissioning of the facility.

A formal ceremony is scheduled for December 9 from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, just before the Special Olympics National Summer Games, which will take place from December 10 to 14. “It’s fitting that such a fantastic event will be the first to make use of the new world-class facility,” said Mauger. The National Summer Games, held every four years, will bring athletes from across the country to compete in various sports, with swimming and basketball events taking place at Parakiore.

Once the Special Olympics conclude, the centre will open its doors for public use. “Once we’ve packed up the Special Olympics and made sure everything is shipshape, the gym, pools, hydroslides, and community courts will all be open for public use,” Mayor Mauger explained. The council is also planning “have-a-go” sessions hosted by local sports groups, along with self-guided tours of the facility.

Spanning 32,000 square meters, the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre is the largest indoor sporting and aquatic facility in New Zealand. It features a 50-meter competition pool, a dive pool, five hydroslides, and a large aquatic leisure zone, as well as a Sensory Aqua Centre designed for inclusive participation. The facility also includes nine indoor courts, including a three-court “show court” equipped with retractable grandstands for spectators.

Fitness and movement studios will be available, along with a training base for High Performance Sport New Zealand. The centre was constructed by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and will be owned and operated by the Christchurch City Council.

The opening of Parakiore is anticipated to enhance the city’s recreational offerings and provide a state-of-the-art venue for both competitive and community sports. As the city prepares for this new chapter, the excitement surrounding the centre continues to build.