Friday 10 June 2016

Nga Puna Wai design team appointed

The Nga Puna Wai sports hub development in southwest Christchurch has taken a step towards construction, with Christchurch City Council appointing a multidisciplinary design team.

A consortium including AECOM and Beca, in partnership with Studio106 Architect, plus a number of other critical specialists, has been contracted to begin concept design work for the sports hub.

“We’re in close collaboration with local sports organisations and residents to create a hub that meets everyone’s needs and makes the best possible use of the section of Nga Puna Wai reserve that the Council has earmarked for the development,” says David Bailey, the Council’s Acting Head of Recreation and Sports.

“The wider sporting community has been clamouring for a sports hub for a long time. It’s a shared vision – the Council is collaborating with Sport New Zealand, Sport Canterbury, Athletics Canterbury, Canterbury Hockey, Tennis Canterbury, Canterbury Rugby League and other stakeholders. The contractors we’ve appointed are world-class and will be working to international best practice to make the shared vision a reality.”

The design team will now develop the approved conceptual design through to a detailed design, which will be used to consent and tender out the various work packages.

The sports hub will be a staged development, with the first stage delivering the primary facilities over a two-year period. The multi-million-dollar project will combine facilities for a number of sporting codes, including an international-standard athletics track, two artificial hockey turfs, 12 outdoor tennis courts, two outdoor rugby league fields with covered seating and general-purpose grass sports pitches. The development also includes buildings for administration, changing facilities and storage along with a café.

Beca and Studio106 Architect continue their involvement as the designers of the Nga Puna Wai sports hub, having designed the original masterplan in 2013 and developed the Stage One masterplan in 2015.

“Our team is proud and delighted to continue our involvement in Nga Puna Wai and help bring the innovative vision for this vibrant sports hub to life. We are looking forward to harnessing the combined talents of our experienced team – with over 14 disciplines across a comprehensive range of services – to design and document the first stage of this landmark project for the Christchurch community,” says John van Cingel, Beca Senior Associate.

“We are passionate about the Nga Puna Wai project and see it as a significant opportunity to expand Christchurch City’s portfolio in terms of sports and recreation facilities to its citizens and sporting community,” says Ross Davidson, AECOM Technical Director – Cost Management.

More information about Nga Puna Wai and a copy of the stage-one masterplan report is available at www.ccc.govt.nz/nga-puna-wai-sports-hub

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