The opening date for Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility has being delayed again, with the expected completion now mid-December 2024.

Costs for the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre have also increased, with the $317m budget for the major rebuild project now $365 million.

The added costs are due to Covid costs, inflation and insurance increases, and the disposal of contaminated soil.

The construction of Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility has faced numerous difficulties, with a major company involved in the project placed into liquidation in April.

Australian-based mechanical services company Benmax which was contracted to deliver the mechanical services the centre, folded its New Zealand operations.

The build is being managed by Rau Paenga, the crown infrastructure delivery agency formerly known as Ōtākaro, the Christchurch rebuild agency.

Rau Paenga Acting Chief Executive, John O’Hagan said a replacement mechanical services provider was secured quickly and the change has not had a significant impact on the construction programme.

“CPB contractors is shifting its current forecast completion date from late November 2024 to mid-December 2024. 

“This will be followed by Council’s commissioning period, which will determine when the facility can be opened,” he said.

“As was reported during the initial stages of the Covid response, additional project funding would be required from the Crown to cover the costs associated with stopping work on the site, the inflationary period that followed, and amending the project insurances. This has amounted to just under $30m.”

John O’Hagan said Rau Paenga has provided a further $6m for the disposal of some additional contaminated soil from the site. 

“As is the case with any construction project, changes and substitutions to materials and equipment happen throughout the building process, so contingency funding was set aside for this. $11.4m has been drawn down from the project’s contingency.”

“Council has allocated $1.2m for the fit out of spaces like the Aquatic Sensory Experience, a multi-sensory space that can be used by people with disabilities.”

Once completed, the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre will be the largest aquatic and indoor recreation and leisure venue of its kind in New Zealand.