This Lyttelton complex contains a sports hall including squash courts, meeting room and hall (Trinity Hall), all available for functions, activities, meetings or exhibition hire.

Circus arts take centre stage at Lyttelton Recreation Centre

If you’ve ever wanted to join the circus, head over to the Lyttelton Recreation Centre and try your hand at contemporary circus arts.

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Children and adults alike can try acrobatics, mime/clown, juggling and aerial arts during a series of circus classes, led by creative director and performer Danny Lee Syme.

Mr Syme, who holds a Masters of Professional Practice in Performing Arts, has recently moved to the town and is keen to set up a new circus scene for the harbour community.

“I want to create a hub for contemporary circus arts and produce performances. Lyttelton is a great place for this,” says Syme, who was a core member of Lyttelton’s The Loons Circus Theatre Company.

“It’s a really artistic community with loads of talent and the Recreation Centre, with its high ceilings and distinct character, seems the perfect space to start,” Mr Syme says.

The circus workshops are part of a fresh new programme of classes and events on offer at the Lyttelton Recreation Centre, thanks to a partnership with community group Project Lyttelton.

Christchurch City Council Head of Community Support, Governance and Partnerships, John Filsell, says the Lyttelton Recreation Centre project is a great example of a partnership of this kind.

“By engaging a local community group to actively manage the Centre, we can ensure this iconic facility is reactivated in ways that meet the evolving needs of the Lyttelton and wider Harbour Basin community,” Mr Filsell says.

Lyttelton Recreation Centre Activator Jill Larking says the Centre welcomes anyone seeking a community space to host classes and events.

“This amazing facility is available for the whole community to use,” Ms Larking says.

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As well as being the largest facility available for community use in Lyttelton, the Centre’s polished wooden floors and central location make it a versatile venue.

“From adult ballet to yoga, karate and basketball, the much-loved recreation centre is transforming into a thriving community hub – and we’re always keen to host more,” she says.

Danny Lee Syme’s circus arts classes are on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 5 November to 21 December. For more information, contact danny@circusmaster.net or call 021 176 1877.

To book a new programme or activity at the Lyttelton Recreation Centre, contact venues@lyttelton.net.nz. For all other bookings, please call 03 941 8999.

Street view of Lyttelton Recreation Centre

The Lyttelton Recreation Centre is offering a fresh programme of events, classes and activities thanks to a partnership with community group Project Lyttelton. Read more about the project on Newsline(external link).

The Lyttelton complex contains a sports hall including squash courts, open mezzanine area and Trinity Hall.

The sports hall doubles as a large assembly space for events and can also support activities such as volleyball, indoor football, indoor bowls, dance, yoga, pilates, group exercise, children, youth, and parenting groups.

Address

25 Winchester Street, Lyttelton(external link)

Bookings

All casual bookings and expressions of interest about regular bookings can be made by calling 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 or in person at the Lyttelton Customer Services, 18 Canterbury Street (corner of London and Canterbury Streets). 

Cost
  • Squash court: $15.30 per hour (adults), $10.00 per hour (children)
  • Trinity Hall: $15.30 per hour (community groups), $31.50 per hour (self-employed tutors), $52.50 per hour (private social events), $51.00 per hour (community events/fundraisers), $99.80 per hour (commercial events)
  • Sports Hall: $27.00 per hour (adults) and $20.40 per hour (children) for sporting use. For all other usage see fees as listed for Trinity Hall
  • Mezzanine area: $12.30 per hour (community groups) and $21.00 per hour (self-employed tutors)
Capacity 

Gymnasium – 137 standing

Trinity Hall (including stage area) – 203 standing

Mezzanine – 31 standing
Conditions of hire

Conditions of use when hiring a Council facility
Health and safety

As part of the rental agreement the hirer accepts legal responsibilities to meet evacuation plans, health and safety responsibilities and to act as the facility warden.

All users are required to complete a pre-use form before they use Lyttelton Recreation Centre. These must then be signed, dated and left in the plastic drop box in the foyer of the centre. The box is cleared once a week.
Alcohol

Alcohol is not permitted at this venue
Hours of hire 

Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm
Equipment available

Trinity Hall: 8 tables and 50 chairs

Gymnasium: 6 tables and 10 chairs (more available on mezzanine)

Mezzanine: 4 round tables, 15 padded chairs and 20 plastic chairs

No community facility has Council free wifi.
Catering 

No organised catering offered
Wheelchair access

This centre has wheelchair access
Parking 

Some parking onsite and on street parking is also available