Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre

Christchurch, New Zealand

In Collaboration with Warren & Mahoney and Peddle Thorp Architects

Aquatic Centre (10-Lane 50m Competition Pool, 1,000 Spectator Seating, Leisure Pools, Toddler Pool, Fitness Pool, Water Climbing Wall, 6-Indoor/Outdoor Water Slides, Family Spa), Sports Centre (Triple Gymnasia, 2,500 Spectator Seating), Field House (Wellness Centre, Six Gymnasia), Sport Training Centre (Indoor Track, Coaching and Treatment Spaces), Movement Centre (Aerial Acrobatic Training Studio), Outdoor Ball Sports, Ki-O-Rahi Field, Table Tennis, Trampolines
Structural / Mechanical / Electrical / Civil: Aurecon + Arup
Landscape: Boffa Miskell

MJMA was sought out by a team in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, to co-design the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre. A key part of the city’s redevelopment program following the devastating 2011 earthquake, the three-level 32,000-sm (340,000-sf) facility brings together day-to-day community recreational, wellness, and social programming with elite athletics.

As a world-class venue, the complex can host international events and includes a base for High Performance Sport New Zealand, thus functioning as a centre for the development of the nation’s young athletes. The result will be a vibrant civic landmark that offers something for persons of all ages and abilities.

The roughly H-shaped plan orders the program into separate ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ bars, with a unifying social hub space between. This configuration allows daylight into all major spaces, while the central social heart also creates clear wayfinding, affording ready access to the primary programs along its length.

The facility aims to meet the daily recreation, education, and high-performance sporting needs of local users; to host national and international events (providing young athletes with a clearer path toward future participation in elite-level athletics); and to create a dynamic social hub capable of regular event overlays.