Tell us how you want to play in the new Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre

Christchurch City Council is encouraging residents to share their ideas for the water toys and other leisure attractions they would like to see in the new Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre on QEII Park.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel today launched the Your Play, Your Say campaign, which will run from 17 September until 30 October 2015, at Rawhiti Primary School. Residents will have the opportunity to have their say about how the $6.5 million given to the Council by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust for water attractions at the new Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre should be spent.

Residents can share their ideas for the new facility online at www.yourvoice.ccc.govt.nz. Alternatively, they can attend a drop-in session at selected libraries to provide feedback (see below for more details). The most popular ideas will be presented to architects from Warren and Mahoney, who are currently working on the concept design for the new facility.

Mayor Dalziel says this is a unique chance for residents to ensure this is an exciting facility that can be enjoyed by residents of all ages.

"We're committed to ensuring this facility meets the needs of local residents as it will be a key recreation centre for the eastern side of the city. We're very grateful to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust for its generous donation which will mean we can include a number of features in the new facility that focus purely on recreation and leisure," she says.

"We've already had input from residents about other aspects of the facility but this is a chance for people to tell us what they and their families think will make it a fun and vibrant place to visit."

Pupils from a number of schools in the area ¬¬– Wainoni Primary School, Rawhiti Primary School, Queenspark Primary School, Parkview Primary School, New Brighton Catholic Primary School, Banks Avenue Primary School and Aranui Primary School – have already started the ball rolling with the presentation of their ideas to the Mayor at today's launch event. There were plenty of ideas put forward, including lazy rivers, special hydroslides, water cannons and different lighting. Many of these ideas will be posted online at www.yourvoice.ccc.govt.nz in the coming days.

Mayor Dalziel says," I loved hearing all the wonderful ideas from these children today, particularly because they will be the generation getting the most out of the new Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre. The way they presented their ideas and the themes that came out have given us plenty of food for thought."

Burwood–Pegasus Community Board Chair Andrea Cummings says this is a real opportunity for residents to have influence over what is included in the new recreation and sport centre. "We'd encourage residents, their families and friends to go online and let their imaginations run wild. Maybe they'd like a hydroslide, a children's water playground, climbing walls or even a flying fox. There's also a chance for residents to comment on other aspects of the facility they think they'll use -– whether it's a sauna, spa pool, a toddlers' pool or a pool for lane swimming."

Construction of the Eastern Recreation and Sport Centre is scheduled to begin in August 2016 and it is expected the facility will open in 2018. As well as the $6.5 million set aside for water attractions, the Council has approved $30.5 million for the construction of the new facility.

Drop-in sessions will be held at:

New Brighton Library, 213 Marine Parade, Wednesday 23 September, 10am–1pm and Tuesday 6 October, 1pm–4pm.

Parklands Library, 46 Queenspark Drive, Friday 25 September 10am–1pm and Thursday 8 October, 1pm–4pm.

Shirley Library and Service Centre, 36 Marshland Road, Monday 5 October, 10am–1pm and Tuesday 20 October, 1pm–4pm.

Aranui Library, 109 Aldershot Street, Monday 12 October, 11am–2pm.

For more information and to share ideas, visit www.yourvoice.ccc.govt.nz.

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