Metropolitan Sports Facilities Plan under development

23 August 2007

Today’s Council meeting adopted the criteria to begin work on developing the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Plan – a framework to plan the Council’s future role and contribution in providing metropolitan sports facilities in Christchurch.

"The Council has a proud history of investing in recreation and sports facilities to promote a healthy, active lifestyle," says Council Recreation and Sports Manager John Filsell.

"World-class sports facilities are recognised as contributing significantly to the social, cultural and economic well-being of our community."

He says Council acknowledges there is considerable pressure on available facilities to meet the diverse needs of different sporting codes in the city.

"Christchurch needs to ensure it has the sporting infrastructure and suite of facilities capable of providing the flexibility to attract local, national and international sporting events.

"Christchurch is already missing opportunities to attract some national and international sporting events because the city does not have a suitable modern venue which seats about 2500 spectators."

Mr Filsell says the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Plan will look at all options for the city including upgrading, redeveloping and expanding existing facilities in looking to provide a 25-year, city-wide Plan.

"The Plan will also consider opportunities for partnerships to provide the city with an infrastructure of world-class sporting facilities."

He says through the development of the Plan, Council will look to identify metropolitan sports facility provision issues, rank priorities and identify its role and contribution.

"This will be achieved by working closely with the various sporting codes. In developing the Plan, Council may not be able to accommodate all the needs of every sporting code."

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Plan will take into consideration the Urban Development Strategy, Christchurch’s ageing population, the cultural diversity of the community, changing demands for international sporting events and the capacity of existing facilities.

Mr Filsell says the Plan will not include aquatic facility, sports fields or marine or coastal facilities, and will not provide a forum to address issues relating to the pricing structure for community use of indoor facilities.

Once a draft Plan is completed in March/April 2008, it will be released for public consultation.

Any projects recommended by the final Plan will be considered as part of the 2009/19 Long Term Council Community Plan process, along with all other priorities in the city.

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