New Zealand

$50m cheaper Chch sport centre to open by 2021 - Minister

10:30 am on 27 April 2018

The government is promising to open Christchurch's metro sports facility, which has been delayed several times, by 2021.

Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Responsible Megan Woods Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Minister Responsible for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods made the announcement this morning.

She revealed last year that there had already been a $75 million cost blow-out, so she axed the contractor and replaced it with the Crown-owned company Ōtākaro.

She said construction was meant to be finished two years ago but it had not even started.

Ōtākaro has completed detailed designs that reduce the final cost of the project by $50m, she said.

She also said work on the separate Christchurch stadium was at a point where a detailed business case could be developed.

Earlier plans for the sports facility. Photo: Christchurch City Council