Work is under way on the foundations with the first major concrete pour taking place.
The facility, which is being built in the area bounded by Moorhouse Ave, Antigua and St Asaph Sts, will have a 10-lane competition pool, a large diving pool, five hydroslides, a warm water pool/spa/sauna/steam room, multi-purpose indoor courts, an aquatic sensory space and high-performance sports centre.
It will be the largest sport and recreation venue in New Zealand when completed in early 2022.
Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods said it was the first of about six concrete pours to be completed.
“This morning we have poured 1100m3 of concrete for the foundations of the site,'' she said.
“The Metro Sports Facility will cover an area about the size of two rugby fields and require around 16,000m3 of concrete and 3700 tonnes of structural steel to build, making it one of the largest projects in central Christchurch.
“Once all of the foundations are poured, people travelling along Moorhouse Ave and St Asaph St will start seeing the structural steel going up early next year.
“This is great news for the local economy. Over 300 people are expected to be working on the Metro Sports Facility at the height of construction, so it will be a hive of activity before the doors even open to sport and recreation enthusiasts,'' Ms Woods said.
