Graham Condon Leisure Centre – A partnership innovation
The partnership
The Graham Condon Leisure Centre follows hot on the heels of the QEII Hydroslides, which were the first aquatic facility to be built in partnership by Christchurch City Council. The Centre is being built on land owned by Papanui High School, adjacent to Northlands Shopping Centre.
The need for an aquatic facility in the north-west area was determined through the Aquatic Facilities Plan prepared by the Christchurch City Council. The first of three new aquatic centres identified to be built in Christchurch over the next 13 years, Papanui will complement the existing suite of facilities in the city. The pool is being constructed specifically as a community/leisure facility. It is unlikely to be used for major competitions because the QEll facility already serves this purpose. Similarly the dry facilities, including gym, are designed for local community access.
The requirement for Council to construct an aquatic facility, and Papanui High School’s need for access to an aquatic facility, have made the partnership a logical step. While the school was not able to fund development of the project, they have leased the land for the site to the Council. In return the school will have access to a facility on its doorstep, along with their existing sports hall being integrated into the new complex. The school’s ability to offer a parcel of land large enough for the project, in an area with high costs for land and development, makes the partnership a good option from the Council’s perspective. Meanwhile, the location of the facility adjacent to the Northlands Shopping precinct is likely to provide benefits to the new centre and the shopping precinct, through the increase in public usage and flow-on commercial effects.
The partnership will also allow for maximum use of the facility. Both the school and the general public will use the facilities during the day. In the evening when public pool usage is higher, the demand from the school will be minimal. Meanwhile, there will be separate changing facilities provided to ensure enough space for general public users and the schools.
Updated | 11 Jul 2008.
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