The 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes caused extensive damage to infrastructure and buildings. Multiple buildings collapsed, and the city was impacted by burst water mains, flooding, liquefaction and power outages. The port was damaged, and many roads cracked. More than 4,500 vehicles were stranded in the city centre during the recovery period. Schools were closed; the Christchurch airport remained open only for emergencies.
As a result of both, 10,000 homes needed to be rebuilt and 3,500 demolished. And Christchurch’s sporting facilities needed to be relocated – effectively, starting again – including the athletics and field amenities at QEII Park, the hockey turfs at Porritt Park, some of the tennis courts at Wilding Park, and the rugby league fields displaced from Rugby League Park in Addington by Christchurch Stadium.
106 Architects had the role of Lead and Sports Architect, and partnered with BECA and Global Leisure Group to investigate a sports-led masterplan for Christchurch City Council.
It was important that the team located and connected the facilities – fields, tracks, courts, the landscape, and buildings – using Third Place Thinking™.
The approach was to create a ‘Third Place’ – the new home to four key anchor sports: hockey, athletics, rugby league and tennis.
The new $120 million green-field sports precinct functions first and foremost as a community-level park, with the capacity to scale operations to host regional, national, and international events.
Located in the southeast of the city, the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub was designed to meet the needs of the growing local community.
Ngā Puna Wai meaning ‘many spring waters’ refers to the many springs and tributaries in the area – forming part of the ancestral landscape of Ngāi Tahu. This area was once an important place for local Māori, who came together to connect and collaborate.
Comprising of 32 hectares of recreation and esplanade reserve, the masterplan picked up Māori ethos of meeting and gathering. As a result, Ngā Puna Wai provides an environment whereby the recreational and sporting communities can come together to share their love of sport through shared resources and outdoor spaces.
FACTS
- $120 million (Masterplan) / $50 million (Stage 1).
- Scoped to host community, regional, national, and international events across four major sport streams.
- A community-centric project designed to encourage the interaction of different sports and community groups through shared common facilities.
