Sporting groups in Christchurch are frustrated by delays with one of the biggest projects in the city’s rebuild – the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre.
CPB, the contractor for the sports centre, claims it needs a $439.4 million dollar funding boost to complete the project.
But the Crown said it won’t stump up.
The sporting facility is one of many large-scale infrastructure projects to be delivered by Rau Paenga (formerly Ōtākaro) the Crown owned company responsible for completing anchor projects in post-quake Christchurch.
Rau Paenga chief executive John O’Hagan told 1News: “We continue to reject the entitlement and the claims, given the facility is already 70% complete”.
“We know what Parakiore brings to Christchurch, we have family and friends who want to use this facility, they’re eager to ride the hydroslides, they’re eager to use the courts, but we also got a responsibility to manage Crown funds.”
The developments today are the latest in a long line of hiccups for Parakiore, including the collapse of one of the project’s sub-contractors.
Sporting groups have been left frustrated.
“The thought of the Crusaders running out at Te Kaha before the Tactix or the Rams running out at Parikiore is becoming a reality and it’s just constant delay after delay is causing our sector to become more and more disillusioned,” said Sport Canterbury chief executive Julyan Falloon.
The first rebuild plan had the building ready by 2016, which was pushed to 2021, and now could be dragged out until 2025.
“Sports can’t bid to bring events to our city because they don’t know when it’s going to be open.”
CBP wouldn't comment in time for the story, but Rau Paenga said it is up to the contractor what happens next, in what has become a long road to completing the complex.
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