Support voiced for planned indoor sports courts

A new indoor courts centre would be a great addition to the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

Christchurch City Council has today agreed to begin consulting the public about leasing land at Ngā Puna Wai to Netsal so it can build a new multi-court indoor facility there.

Netsal is an organisation that was established by the Mainland Football Federation and the Christchurch Netball Centre specifically to develop, own and operate a 10-court indoor sports facility.

“We have some great sporting facilities in Christchurch but one of the things we are lacking is a high quality multi-court indoor facility,’’ says Mayor Dalziel.

“Christchurch Netball and Mainland Football have partnered to fill that gap and have been working together for a number of years to get this project off the ground.

“We think there is merit in siting the new indoor courts facility at Ngā Puna Wai, which is already home to top class facilities for hockey, tennis, rugby league and athletics.

“Adding facilities for netball, futsal and other indoor court sports would be totally in keeping with the original vision of Ngā Puna Wai as a hub for multiple sporting codes,’’ the Mayor says.

“Because the land we are proposing to lease Netsal is reserve land, we do need to consult the public and get their feedback. A Hearings Panel will be convened to consider all the submissions received. The Panel will then bring a report to the Council with its recommendations.’’

The consultation period will start at the end of February.