The New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) has welcomed today’s announcement that the Christchurch Metro Sports Facility will proceed as a standalone facility at the planned location.

“This is a victory for common sense and welcome news for recreation in Christchurch,” said NZRA CEO, Andrew Leslie.

In conjunction with Sport NZ, NZRA undertook peer reviews of the Metro Master Plan in 2014, and the Architectural and Engineering Concept Designs in 2016. Following the reviews, NZRA formed and led the Metro Operations Advisory Group and have been involved in the conceptualisation and design of the Metro Sports Facility.

“The design and location of the Metro Sports Facility is an excellent balance of value for money and the enhancement of community-level recreation opportunities in Christchurch,” Mr Leslie explained.

“An entire generation in Christchurch has suffered the loss of community sporting facilities, growing up without the recreational venues that are considered the norm in the rest of New Zealand. It’s a community that has shown patience, resilience and a willingness to compromise,” he said.

“Originally scheduled to open in 2016, we came to accept that it would be delayed until 2019. Now we understand that the opening is scheduled for 2021. It cannot come soon enough,” he concluded.

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