The Southern Centre
This space includes a range of interactive sensory features that enable the individual to control the environment through touch, light, sound and smell
When Metro Sports Facility opens in 2022, it will be the largest aquatic and indoor recreation and leisure venue in New Zealand. It will include an Aquatic Sensory Experience. Let us know how you would like to use the space.
Project status: Closed for feedback
Open for feedback: 17 August 2020 to 12 October 2020
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Artist’s impression of Aquatic Sensory Experience
The Aquatic Sensory Experience will be the first of its kind in the country!
The high-tech multi-sensory environment has been specially designed to cater for people of all ages and abilities to create opportunities and connections that enhance and contribute to wellbeing.
Multi-sensory spaces are known to significantly benefit people with disabilities. This is because the design of the facility encourages fun, relaxation, intellectual activity, language and social skills in a fun and explorative way.
Sensory stimulation can be controlled and matched to meet the needs of the individual where they have choice and control. This upholds a rights-based framework that values the lives of people with disabilities by encouraging full participation.
Aquatic sensory experience room layout
| Aquatic Sensory Experience | Key Features |
| Heated Pool | Beach entry, 0.9m at the deep end |
| Eight water features - fountains, misting spray and jets that can be activated by sensors/switches | |
| Interactive features | Bubble column with interactive water features |
| 'How Things Work' wall where the flow of water through pipes can be controlled | |
| Interactive projector screen with video images | |
| Tactile wall panel relating to Canterbury area including fish, birds, rivers and mountains | |
| Ripple wall | |
| Accessibility | A fully accessible sensory room located on the ground floor of the new Metro Sports Facility |
| Accessible changing rooms | |
| Wet wheelchairs | |
| 26 disability parking spaces |
Examples of the interactive features
These are sample images only, the final designs are currently being developed.
Bubble wall
Ripple wall
Tactile wall
Water fountain
All prices for Metro Sports Facility are yet to be decided.
Find out more about Metro Sports Facility
The Southern Centre
Council already operates one multi-sensory space, the Southern Centre based at Pioneer Recreation & Sport Centre.
Information sessions
You are welcome to come talk to us at one of two drop-in sessions about how you can use the space before you send in your survey response.
Information session 1
Location: Boardroom at Beckenham Service Centre, 66 Colombo Street
Date: Friday 28 August
Time: 10.00 am to 12.00pm
If you’d prefer to make a time to meet with us individually, please email metrosports@ccc.govt.nz.
Information session 2
Location: Boardroom at Fendalton Service Centre, Corner Clyde and Jeffreys Roads
Date: Tuesday 8 September
Time: 4.30pm to 6.00pm
If you’d prefer to make a time to meet with us individually, please email metrosports@ccc.govt.nz.
| Date | Stage |
| August | Survey open for feedback |
| October | Council staff consider survey responses |
| November | Council staff give an update |
| 2021 | Bookings open for the Aquatic Sensory Experience |
| 2022 | Metro Sports Facility opens |