22 November, 2013

Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre wins award

Christchurch’s Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre has made a splash at the annual NZ Recreation Association (NZRA) Awards dinner, winning the award for “Outstanding Pool.”

The NZRA Awards, which were held last night at the Energy Events Centre, in Rotorua, recognise excellence, innovation and effectiveness of outstanding activity within the recreation sector.

The Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre is owned and operated by the Christchurch City Council and represents a partnership with the Ministry of Education, with support from Northlands Shopping Centre.

John Filsell, Unit Manager, Recreation & Sports, Christchurch City Council, says: “The NZRA Award validates the truly innovative and community-focused approach that’s been adopted for this world-class sporting facility.

“The Centre is continually looking to improve the way it operates and engages with the community, promoting excellence and best practices in its community partnerships, programming and sustainability measures.

“Over the last 12 months, the Centre has exceeded all participation projections, financial targets and customer satisfaction measures, which further speaks volumes about its function and standing within the Christchurch community,” he says.

The Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre was opened in May 2011 as a community facility to complement a full network of facilities across the city. After the 2011 earthquakes, Christchurch residents lost the use of QEII Park and the Centennial facilities — effectively 60 per cent of recreational water space.

The complex was named in honour of Graham Condon, a long-standing Christchurch City Councillor who was tragically killed in a cycling accident in 2007.

The Centre offers a full range of activities, including recreation programmes, group exercise classes, learn-to-swim classes for all ages and abilities, and aqua classes.

As a “green facility”, the Centre pipes filtered water from its 25-metre pool to Northlands PAK’nSAVE, where it is heated by exhaust heat from the supermarket’s refrigeration circuits. The heated water is then piped back to the Centre’s pools, filling both the 25-metre pool and the learn-to-swim pool.

Mr Filsell says the Centre’s partnership between the Council and the Ministry of Education is mutually beneficial.

“The Ministry has provided Papanui High School-owned land on a lease arrangement for the facility, allowed use of the school’s pellet-fired heating boilers on a cost-sharing arrangement, and provided use of the school’s existing sports hall outside of school hours.

“In return, the Christchurch City Council provides access to the new sports hall for exclusive use by the school during school hours, access to the fitness centre for year 12 and 13 students, and exclusive use of three lanes in the 25-metre pool from 12.30–2.30pm during school term,” he says.

The Graham Condon Recreation and Sport Centre offers:

• An eight-lane, 25-metre indoor swimming pool
• Ramped spa pool for easy access
• Ramped learners’ pool and a separate toddlers’ pool with wet deck
• A sports hall large enough for a full-sized basketball court
• A fitness centre with state-of-the-art exercise equipment

For further information, visit: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/recreationsport/facilities/graham/index.aspx

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