Cost of new Christchurch aquatic centre balloons out to $317m

Another of Christchurch's rebuild anchor projects is facing rising costs.

But this time the Government is set to pick up the tab.

The construction costs for the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, which borders Moorhouse Ave, Stewart St, St Asaph St and Antigua St, have jumped by $16 million to $317 million. And that price tag is likely to climb even higher once the impacts of the Covid pandemic are added.

The centre will be the largest aquatic and indoor sports facility of its kind in New Zealand. It will feature a 10-lane 50m pool, seating for more than 1000 people, a diving pool, nine indoor sports courts and five hydroslides.

The completion date of the 30,000 sq m facility has also been pushed back to late 2023.