Ribbon cut at official Parakiore opening

What does $500 million buy? New Zealand's largest recreation and sports complex was officially opened at a ceremony in Christchurch.

The ribbon was cut on Tuesday at the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre on St Asaph St but the facility will not open to the public until December 17, after the Special Olympics’ national summer games.

Speaking at the formal event, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said: "Parakiore will stand for generations to come and be a place enjoyed by residents and visitors to our city alike.

"I’m thrilled that we’re able to welcome Special Olympics to town.

"It’s been 20 years since we last hosted the event and it’s fantastic to be in a position again to provide top class facilities for the athletes.

"There’s so much excitement around the event and it’s fantastic to see.

"We’re fast cementing ourselves as the sporting and cultural capital of New Zealand.

"Parakiore is right in the heart of the city, with all the amazing attractions and activities that Christchurch has to offer right on the doorstep.

"Parakiore is a place for people to come together, play, train, challenge themselves, and above all – have a lot of fun," Mauger said.

At 32,000sq m, Parakiore is New Zealand’s largest indoor sport and aquatics facility.

The centre boasts a 50m competition pool, dive pools, hydroslides, aquatic leisure zones and a sensory centre.

It also has nine indoor courts, including a three‑court show court with retractable grandstands for spectators, fitness and movement studios, and a High Performance Sport New Zealand training base.

Photo: Daniel Alvey

The hydroslide tower houses five slides, including trapdoor slides that drop you into a vertical freefall. There are also foam pits where divers can practice somersaults mid-air, nine basketball courts, 11 pools, plus New Zealand's first aquatic sensory space with bubble columns and interactive jets.

The facility had an original budget of $246 million, with $147m from the city council and the rest provided by the Crown.

While Parakiore was built by Crown Infrastructure Delivery, it is now owned and operated by the city council.

Before the centre opens to the public, it will co-host the Special Olympics’ national summer games from Wednesday to Sunday (December 10-14). Entry to all Special Olympics events is free.