The Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is edging closer to completion, with two major milestones achieved: the installation of the Show Courts and the filling of the competition and dive pools.
Crown Infrastructure Delivery (CID) Project Director Alistair Young said the Show Courts space is about the size of a supermarket, with 2,900 square metres purpose-built for televised games and high-performance sport.
“Retractable grandstands flank the central court, ready to roll out for spectators. It’s also large enough to accommodate three basketball or netball courts, or up to four volleyball courts for community use,” Young said.
The court floor features around 23,500 linear metres of beech timber, enough to stretch from New Brighton to Hornby.
“The central court uses timber with uniform colouration to minimise visual distractions for televised games,” he said.
Permanent markings have been applied for basketball, netball and volleyball. Temporary markings for futsal and badminton can be added when required without cluttering the court visually.
In the aquatic zone, more than five million litres of water have been pumped into the 50-metre competition pool and the dive well, which measures 25 by 20 metres and five metres deep. Both pools meet international standards and will cater to elite athletes and the wider community.
With the pools filled, technicians have activated pumps, heating systems and filtration equipment. The final lining beneath the aquatic play tower is underway, and the manu and learn-to-swim pools are now being filled.
“These milestones reflect the extraordinary effort of everyone involved in delivering Parakiore,” Young said.
“From the retractable grandstands to the aquatic play structure and now the Show Courts and pools, we’re seeing the vision come to life.”
Spanning 32,000 square metres, Parakiore will be the largest facility of its kind in New Zealand. It will feature multi-purpose indoor courts, swimming pools, hydroslides, an aquatic sensory space, a gym, movement studios and group fitness rooms.
Crown Infrastructure Delivery Ltd is overseeing the construction, which is expected to be completed in October. The facility will then be handed over to Christchurch City Council for fit-out, with public opening scheduled for late 2025. The Council will own and operate the centre.
