Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Megan Woods and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said this morning that progress had been made on two of the city's rebuild projects, the stadium and the Metro Sports Facility.
A business case for the new stadium had been fast-tracked, allowing the council to begin the detailed work on it, Woods said.
The minister also indicated what the stadium's eventual size would be and how it would be used.
"Obviously, the final stadium design will be subject to a business case, but we foresee a roofed stadium large enough to allow the city to host major test matches as well as entertainment events."
The Government or city council did not give a deadline of when the stadium could be finished.
Woods said it would be up to the council to decide in its long-term plan whether it brought construction of the stadium forward.
The Crusaders and other sports teams have been using the upgraded Rugby League Park since the 2011 earthquake damaged Lancaster Park beyond repair.
There have been growing calls for a larger, weatherproof stadium which can host All Blacks matches but also host large concerts – similar to Dunedin's stadium.
The new stadium is expected to cost about $500 million, and the council has already committed to paying half of that amount.
The Government is investing $300 million to speed up Christchurch's rebuild projects, some of which will be in next month's Budget. The council will decide whether to spend that money on the stadium.
Woods also said today that Otakaro, the agency in charge of the anchor projects, had completed its detailed designs on a Metro Sports Facility.
The facility was meant to open in 2016 but has been beset by delays and a budget blowout of $75 million.
Woods said the project's costs had been cut by $50 million as a result of procurement and design changes, which included cutting back on cosmetic features, carparking space and scrapping plans for a childcare facility.
As announced in November, the facility would be opened in 2021. It will include a 50m competition pool and diving pool with 1000 seats for spectators, nine indoor courts, a gym and other facilities.
The anchor projects were started under the previous Government and are designed to encourage development and attract people back into the CBD, most of which was demolished after the earthquakes seven years ago.
Some of the projects have been completed, such as the Justice Precinct, the National Earthquake Memorial, and the bus interchange.
Most of the projects are still in the planning or construction phase.
- By Isaac Davison
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Comments
I know a stadium is far more important than a new hospital. But if the Dunedin Hospital replacement is anything to go by, Dunedins stadium won't have competition for events for at least 10 years.
Perhaps central government can throw a few dollars our way now for our stadium.
Good for ChCh but this will be a knockout for Dunedin ratepayers who still keep Forstyth Barr Stadium above the water. Let's face it: Christchurch location will be much more convenient for domestic and international visitors and will inevitable take the lion's share of already small number of events and shows. Forget about Ed Sheeran x 3 kind of events.
Christchurch is also lucky to have half of the cost covered under the auspices of EQ Rebuild.