The centre is owned by Christchurch Netball, but it is looking to sell the building because it is joining with Mainland Football to build a new multi-court indoor sports centre at Ngā Puna Wai.
Christchurch City Council has instructed staff to begin negotiations with Christchurch Netball for the purchase of the building.
Said Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner: "We hope that an agreement can be reached that allows us all to achieve our goals.
“We want it to become a place where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or religion, feels welcome and included.
"Having such a centre in the heart of Hagley Park will send a strong message that Christchurch embraces diversity and is an inclusive, multicultural city where all people belong."
Turner said the netball centre is big enough to accommodate a wide range of community recreation and sport activities and multicultural activities.
“Hagley Park has always been at the heart of recreation and sport in our city so we really like the idea of putting the Christchurch Netball Centre into public ownership and making it available for community recreation and sporting use."