19 Mar 2018

Everyone is invited to visit QEII Park at an upcoming open day and help shape a master plan for the site.

While some features are already set in stone, including the new $38.6 million QEII Park Sport and Recreation Centre, an area leased to the Christchurch School of Gymnastics, and the land set aside for the combined Shirley Boys High and Avonside Girls’ High combined school campus, a vision for rest of the park is yet to be decided.

The Council is developing a master plan to help determine the future of QEII Park and how it will be used. The goal is to make sure the environment and buildings are connected and the area works well for the community.

Funding gained from land sold to the Ministry of Education in 2016 for the new school campus has been set aside for the redevelopment and implementation of the plan.

A public open day will be held on Sunday 25 March from 12pm until 3pm at the North end of QEII Park, off Ascot Ave, to give as many people as possible the chance to familiarise themselves with the park in its current state and give feedback. 

This is the first stage of public engagement and a draft master plan will go out for full consultation when it is complete.

Council Head of Recreation and Sports John Filsell says QEII is a place that many Christchurch people feel a strong connection to. “We want to give everyone the chance to experience it as it is now, see how it has changed, and start thinking forward.”

The condition of the land is a big factor that needs to be considered when looking at possibilities for the future , he says.

Coastal-Burwood Community Board Chair Kim Money says it's important people are able to look around and get a feel for the place.

"It's their park, it's been a long journey and we need to have their input. We want people to see it as it is today and venture into areas of the park that haven't been available to them in recent years and get a sense of what they want it to look like. It’s an opportunity to express fresh vision for its future for this generation and those to come."

The Open Day will include a guided walk around the site, activities for children and a free sausage sizzle.

Council staff will be there to give updates on the new QEII Recreation and Sports Centre facility which is set to open on Queen’s Birthday Weekend and will replace the old earthquake-damaged pool and fitness facility that was built to host the 1974 Commonwealth Games and demolished in 2012.

There will also be information available on the new school campus and planned Christchurch School of Gymnastics rebuild.

For more information and the latest updates please visit the Council website or email qeii@ccc.govt.nz