MainPower Stadium, Waimakariri [Waimakariri Indoor Sports Centre]

As a satellite district to Christchurch, the Waimakariri area has experienced unprecedented growth since the 2010/11 earthquakes. This population growth has placed pressure on some sport and recreation assets.

To meet the growing community’s needs, the Waimakariri District Council has completed a multi-use sports facility of approximately 6,000m2 with four indoor courts, with the potential to add two more in the future.

WDC undertook strategic planning work to understand the current and future needs for facilities, spaces and places within the District. The scope was relatively broad and challenged some traditional sports (who have had the lion’s share of resources) to acknowledge the emergence of more contemporary activities that also require spaces to participate. Sport participation data was used to provide an evidence base for future decision making. This analysis and strategic planning informed Warren and Mahoney’s design for the masterplan including outdoor playing fields and a new indoor courts facility.

This project challenged some traditional sports to acknowledge the emergence of more contemporary activities that also require spaces to participate. Sport participation data was used to provide an evidence base for future decision making. The in-depth analysis and strategic planning has informed the Warren and Mahoney-design for the masterplan including outdoor playing fields and a new indoor courts facility.

The development considers the adjacent school and future adjacent residential strategy for more direct pedestrian and cycle connections to the town centre to the south. An innovative community plaza, is activated through the clever use of operable walls from the courts and fitness programme rooms and is designed to host outdoor events and be serviced by mobile food and beverage operators in weekend and holiday mode.

The houses four indoor courts configured for futsal, handball, korfball, volleyball, netball, badminton and basketball, as well as a central fitness facility, change rooms, coaching and meeting space and seating for about 500 spectators. The sports facility aims to become a vibrant focus point for sport in the district. It has been designed to be efficient, cost effective and highly functional.

“We see the multi-use sports facility being a great centre for our growing community to come together. The opportunities a facility of this nature will open to the wider community will be fantastic and this will potentially benefit all members of Waimakariri,” says Waimakariri Mayor David Ayers.