The Sport Hall in the new $13 million complex will be opened and available during the day to Papanui High School from 23 May, and evenings and weekends to community group bookings.
The remainder of the complex, including an eight lane, ramped 25-metre swimming pool, learn to swim pool and new fitness centre, is due to be finished later this year.
Council Recreation and Sports Unit Manager John Filsell said the Sports Hall would be available from 23 May, primarily for use by Papanui High School and Shirley Boys High School.
“The opening is particularly timely for the Recreation and Sports Unit network, considering the recent structural assessments that have closed QE II Park and Centennial for the foreseeable future.
“The new sports hall compliments the current indoor ‘stadium’ space of Cowles and Pioneer stadiums and will immediately provide additional recreation space for schools and community groups. This is a great positive step for Christchurch, given the recent devastating affect on the cities infrastructure.”
The Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre is owned and operated by Christchurch City Council, but located on Papanui High School land, on Sisson Drive, opposite the Northlands Shopping Centre.
Once opened fully it will provide an additional fitness centre for the city, much needed pool space, and a full range of recreation programmes, fitness classes and learn to swim classes.
The complex will be named in honour of Graham Condon, a Christchurch City Councillor who was tragically killed in a cycling accident in 2007.
He served as an elected Shirley/Papanui community board member from 1995-1998 and was then elected as a Christchurch City Councillor (and was appointed by the Council to the Shirley/Papanui Community Board) from 1998 until his death in 2007.
Community groups wishing to book space in the new Sport Hall should contact Jacinda Sleeman on 941 6888.
