Public gets a say on sports hub

Residents and sporting groups from around the city are being asked to have a say on the proposal to develop a sports hub at Nga Puna Wai in southwest Christchurch.

The special consultative procedure will run from Friday 10 October – Friday 12 December.

Last month, Councillors gave approval to proceed with a special consultative procedure, which will gather opinions and suggestions about the proposed sports hub from the widest possible range of people, from local residents and businesses to sporting groups. It is also consulting on the proposed changes to the reserve’s Management Plan to incorporate this proposal.

Following the close of consultation, formal hearings will take place in early 2015. The final decision whether to proceed with the development will be made in March/April 2015.

Councillors have previously received the Masterplan concept report for the proposed sports hub – which will combine facilities for a number of sporting disciplines, including an athletics track, hockey turfs, indoor and outdoor tennis courts and sports fields – on a 32-hectare area of Nga Puna Wai, a reserve currently used mainly for livestock grazing and public recreation.

Recreation and Sports Unit Manager John Filsell says the need for a sports hub like this has been clear for some time.

“The 2011 earthquakes really unsettled Christchurch’s sporting community. Some of our major facilities were put out of commission, including the QEII Park athletics track, the Wilding Park tennis courts and the Porritt Park hockey fields – and a lot of groups have been displaced ever since.

“We first identified the need for a sports hub in June 2013. We’ve spent a lot of time identifying the best possible location, and now it’s time for us to know what people think about our proposed site and the overall concept. A lot of people will be pleased that this important phase is here, and we want them all on board.”

Mr Filsell says sporting groups are positive about the Nga Puna Wai proposal and the concept has been endorsed by Sport New Zealand and Sport Canterbury.

The sports hub concept allows sporting codes to share facilities – car parks, changing rooms, administration, storage and support spaces – and encourages more efficient use of available green space. Nga Puna Wai is the preferred location because of its size, the high quality of the land, its proximity to the Central City, and the growing population in southwest Christchurch.

“QEII Park had been a successful sports hub for 40 years, and that’s the sort of model we’re looking to emulate – it’s a popular and efficient way of working,” Mr Filsell says.

“It’s a big commitment on the Council’s part, so it won’t happen overnight. We’re looking at Nga Puna Wai as a 30-year journey, with a new athletics track being the initial investment which kicks off the whole development.”

The Council has committed $6.7 million towards the development of the athletics track and will work with sporting groups to determine their share of any financial contributions to the hub. As the plan proposes to create the hub over 10–30 years, the development of each component can be staged as required.

For more information, please visit www.ccc.govt.nz/NgaPunaWai

Submissions can be made in a number of different ways – online at www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay, emailing a submission and any attachments to ngapunawai@ccc.govt.nz, by mail, by hand delivery or at the public information kiosks:

• Wigram Residents Association Meeting
Wednesday 15 October 2014, 7.30pm start
Harvard Lounge, Wigram

• Halswell Residents Association/Awatea Residents Association meeting
Monday 20 October 2014, 7.30pm start
St Mary's Church, Halswell

• Hornby Community Meeting
Tuesday 4 November 2014, noon start
Hornby Community Care Centre, Hornby

• A&P Show – Christchurch City Council tent
Wednesday 12 – Friday 14 November 2014
Canterbury Agricultural Park

• Halswell Liaison Meeting
Wednesday 26 November 2014, noon start
St John of God, Halswell

The full Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub Masterplan Concept Design Report, Summary of Information, Statement of Proposal and amendments to the Management Plan can be viewed online at www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay or at any Council library, Recreation and Sport Centre, or Service Centre. Please see www.ccc.govt.nz/Contact

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