Advisory group to consider site for Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre

Representatives from eight community and sport organisations have been appointed to an advisory group that will recommend a site for the new Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre.

The advisory group will comprise representatives from Youth Alive Trust, Rawhiti Community Sports Inc, Aranui Community Trust Incorporated Society (ACTIS), Tumara Park Residents' Association, Avondale Residents' Association, Coastal Spirit Football Club, Keep QEII in the East and Eastern Vision. The advisory group will meet for the first time today (Thursday 12 June). The successful candidates were chosen for their community knowledge and expertise. Collectively, they also cover a wide area of north east Christchurch

Two Burwood/Pegasus Community Board members, Chair Andrea Cummings and Linda Stewart, will sit on the advisory group. Council staff, who will not vote, will also be present to provide information and advice. There will be an independent facilitator.

The advisory group's key objective is to recommend to the Council a suitable location for the recreation and sport centre in the north east of Christchurch and the main features that will be in the facility.

Burwood/Pegasus Community Board Chair Andrea Cummings says this is a milestone for residents in the east who have sorely missed having access to recreational facilities since the loss of QEII.

"We're looking forward to hearing the views of residents, and to some robust discussion. The formation of the advisory group is an important step forward."

The six top locations for the Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre currently are: Aranui High School, Clare Park, Central New Brighton, Cuthberts Green, Prestons and QEII Park. As well as the options already put forward, the advisory group will also be able to suggest alternative sites.

The advisory group will meet four to five times over the next five weeks and will report to the Burwood/Pegasus Community Board at the conclusion of the process. A report with a suggested recommendation will then go to the Council for final approval.

In June 2012, the Council agreed an Eastern facility should be built on the QEII site, or an agreed alternative location, to replace the damaged QEII Sport and Recreation Centre.

A budget of $30.5 million has been allocated to the Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre in the 2012/13 Annual Plan and subsequently brought into the Christchurch City Three Year Plan (TYP). The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has also given $6.5million for water attractions at the facility.

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