More than 70 per cent of the major anchor project between Moorhouse Ave, Stewart St, St Asaph St and Antigua St has been completed.
But residents might have to wait until at least mid-2025 to use the centre after further delays and a legal dispute between the delivery agency and contractor came to light on Friday.
The delay stems from a cost escalation dispute between contractor CPB and Crown delivery agency Rau Paenga (which was known as Ōtākaro Ltd).
After seeking an extra $212 million last year, CPB Contractors has increased this claim to $439.4 million.
The claim would bump up the project’s contract value to $696 million, and delay the completion date to May 2025 - with the official opening likely to be even later that year.
But the timeline was previously pushed out to mid-December 2024 with an opening date likely in 2025 - seven years since work on the centre started in 2018.
“Rau Paenga strongly disputes the contractor’s entitlement to this sum and the basis of the claims,” he said.
“We’re disappointed and dismayed that Christchurch residents are facing further delays to the project, and that contractor’s claims have increased so dramatically,” says Christchurch City Council Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale.
“Christchurch residents, sports organisations and community groups have been waiting years to enjoy this space, and we believe they deserve better.
“On-site work began on this project in 2018, and Cantabrians were initially told it would be completed by 2021.”
Sport Canterbury chief executive Julyan Falloon said the ongoing delays and disputes are frustrating for sporting groups and residents.
“This project is already years behind schedule; residents will continue to be extremely frustrated by this news, and Sport Canterbury, along with our wider sector, share this frustration,” Falloon says.
“The sport, recreation and physical activity sector are relying on this essential community facility, and the delays not only affect planning and budgets, but also the ability for some sports in our region to grow.
“The best-case scenario is for the issue to be resolved quickly, or at least to put this current situation aside so there are no further delays.”
A High Court decision has seen Rau Paenga successfully prevent CPB from suspending on-site construction works, based on its unsubstantiated claims.
Parakiore will be the largest aquatic, indoor recreation and leisure facility of its type in New Zealand when it eventually opens.
- For more information on the project, click here
