Christchurch is now operating under the Red setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework. Find out about how our services and facilities will operate.

Council facilities

As a Council, the health and safety of our residents and staff remain our top priority. While we want our facilities to be accessible to as many people as possible, we must ensure we can do this safely.

This means under the Red traffic light setting anyone aged over 12 years and 3 months entering most Christchurch City Council facilities (with the exception of our transfer stations) will require the My Vaccine Pass. 

We did not make our decision to implement the vaccine requirement lightly. It was based on Government guidelines and risk assessment, which took into account the health and safety of our residents and our staff.

To help keep everyone safe, please stay at home if you or anyone in your house is unwell. We encourage you to read and be aware of the COVID-19 Protection Framework(external link) and download the NZ COVID-19 Tracer app(external link). Please take care, and be kind to yourself and others. 
 

Recreation and Sport Centres

For information on how our Recreation and Sports services are operating under Red traffic light see our Rec and Sport section below(external link).
 

In the community

There are practical things you can do to make sure you are ready for COVID-19 in your community. Canterbury District Health Board has created a one-stop with advice for Cantabrians on being ready and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19(external link).

Anyone aged 12 and older entering Akaroa Museum will require a vaccine pass.

Please sign/scan in and wear a mask.

Anyone aged 12 and older entering Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū will require a vaccine pass.

Please sign/scan in and wear a mask.

You do not require a vaccine pass to enter the Bus Interchange. Please sign/scan in and wear a mask.

You do not require a vaccine pass to use Council car park buildings. 

The Council owns different types of community facilities – some are operated by the Council, and some are operated by the community.

Under the Red traffic light settings, there are capacity limits at our facilities to allow for one metre physical distancing. Most of our bookable Council-operated community facilities will require a vaccine pass for anyone aged 12 and older to enter. However, they will only be allowed to have a maximum of 100 people in attendance, if they are using vaccine passes.

There are four bookable Council-operated community facilities that will not require a vaccine pass – Abberley Park Hall, Harvard Lounge, Richmond Community Cottage and South New Brighton Community Hall. People can book these facilities without Council requiring a vaccine pass.  However, there will be a reduction in capacity to 25 people based on one metre physical distancing, and there will be an additional charge for the extra cleaning required after the booking has finished.

For community-operated Council-owned facilities, the facility operator is responsible for the safety of attendees and will make their own decision on whether a vaccine pass is required. 

The Council team is available with support and advice for use of Council facilities(external link).

Anyone visiting any Christchurch City Council facility - including the Civic Offices in Hereford Street and Council Service Centres around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula – must be fully vaccinated, and able to show a vaccine pass.

If you are unable to show proof of vaccination, either on your phone or with a printed vaccine certificate, you will not be able to enter the building.

If you typically pay your rates at a service centre, there are a number of alternative quick and easy payment options available. Visit our rates page(external link) for more information. 

Microchipping

Under Red, the microchipping service is suspended.

Reclaiming impounded dogs – No vaccine pass required

  • Masks to be worn.
  • Scan in on arrival.
  • Social distancing applies.
  • When an impounded dog needs to be collected from the animal shelter, the owner will be contacted and asked to come for the dog (and pay the appropriate fees). The owner will not need to show a vaccine pass.
  • Only one person is to go in to collect the dog and pay the appropriate fees.
  • When the payment has been made, an officer will collect the dog from the kennel and hand it over to the owner.

Viewing dogs available for adoption – Vaccine pass required

  • Masks to be worn.
  • Scan in on arrival.
  • Vaccine pass to be shown before entering the shelter (except children aged 11 years or younger).
  • Social distancing applies.

The first four concerts in the Summer Sundays series at the Botanic Gardens have been cancelled(external link) under the Red traffic light setting.

We are constantly monitoring the situation and will assess individual events on a case by case basis. 

Council, Community Board and committee meetings will go ahead as normal, but anyone aged 12 and older will require a vaccine pass to attend in person. Please sign/scan in and wear a mask.

People without vaccine passes have the opportunity to attend or view a meeting remotely where available. Visit Council meetings, agendas and minutes(external link) for more.

Kerbside

There is no change to our kerbside collection service.

You should continue to put your bins out as normal and put the right items in the right bin. 

Transfer Stations – drop off facilities

A vaccine pass will not be required for entry to transfer stations. Please scan/sign in.

Anyone aged 12 and older entering any of our libraries will require a vaccine pass.

Please sign/scan in and wear a mask.

Find out more at our libraries page. (external link)

All parks, cemeteries and the Botanic Gardens are open. 

Anyone aged 12 and over entering the Ilex Café or Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre will require a vaccine pass. Please sign/scan in and wear a mask.

 

Recreation and Sport – COVID-19 Protection Framework Red

As a Council, the health and safety of our staff and residents remains our top priority. While we want our facilities to be accessible to as many people as possible, we must ensure we can do this safely.

This means that under the Red traffic light alert level, anyone aged 12 years and 3 months entering Recreation and Sport facilities will require a My Vaccine Pass. Masks are also required on entry.

You will need to:

  • Show your My Vaccine Pass for verification on entry
  • Wear a mask in and out of the facility and in public shared spaces.
  • Scan the national Covid contact tracing app or sign the manual registration system.

Staff will help you to ensure Covid-19 Protection Framework Red guidelines are followed to protect the health and safety of everyone who visits.

There will be capacity limits at our Recreation and Sport Centres, including summer pools, based on facility size (1m² per person).

Fitness centres and group fitness classes have capacity limits of up to 100 people or 1 metre distancing (whichever is lesser) per defined space. All other areas have capacity limits based on one metre distancing. 

Event or gathering rules apply to any part of the facility that is hired for exclusive use.

To help manage numbers and avoid waiting times an online booking process(external link) for group fitness classes, Tumbletimes and adult swimming lessons is in place.

Bookings are essential. You can book up to seven days in advance and cancel any time via the email booking notification.

Fitness Centres and pools do not require bookings.

Swimsmart, pre-school gymnastics, sport groups and the Southern Centre

The standard booking process applies.

Cleaning and hygiene

  • Hand sanitiser (70 per cent alcohol) stations are available at points throughout our centres.
  • Cleaning solution and wipes are available in fitness centres so you can wipe down equipment after use.
  • COVID-19 signage is in place as a reminder to follow good hygiene practices, including hand washing.
  • Hard-to-clean items will be removed from fitness centres, group fitness studios, Tumbletimes and swimming lessons.

Masks

The wearing of facemasks in public spaces (reception areas and hallways) is a requirement. We expect all users of the centres to respect this. People who are unable to wear masks, and who bring in an exempt document stating this, will be granted access. Pre-schoolers are not required to wear masks for Tumbletimes or pre-school gymnastics.

You are not required to wear a mask whilst exercising or in the pool. However, they are recommended when not exercising in the Fitness Centre, or as a spectator in the pool hall and the sports courts.

Contact tracing

People visiting our facilities are required to sign in using the national COVID Tracer app/scanning the QR code so we can help keep you safe.

For those who don’t have a smartphone, a sign-in register will be available on entry.

Caregivers of young children can simply scan themselves in once for their children.

Contact tracing information is kept private and secure and will only be used by the Ministry of Health if needed. The information is permanently deleted after 60 days.

EFTPOS

Paywave is available for EFTPOS transactions. We will also accept cash.

Fees and charges

Our membership and admission fees will stay the same.

Freezing memberships

If you are not vaccinated, or won't have your My Vaccine Pass by the time you want to visit a centre, you may put your membership on hold for the duration of the Traffic Light System by completing this freeze form(external link) or by emailing us at recandsport@ccc.govt.nz. If your vaccination status changes in the future, please email us at recandsport@ccc.govt.nz

Swimsmart membership

Please refer to the Swim education section.

Cancelling your membership

We understand if you choose to cancel your membership. If you would like to cancel it, please visit one of our Recreation and Sport Centres or email recandsport@ccc.govt.nz

Frequently asked questions

I’m a member and I can’t use the centre due to the My Vaccine Pass requirement. What happens to my membership?
Fixed members can apply for a pro rata refund of the unused membership. Flexi members can cancel their membership without penalty.

I’m a concession card holder and I can’t use the centre due to the My Vaccine Pass requirement. What happens to my concession card?
You can apply for a refund of the unused visits or we can extend the expiration date for an additional 12 months.

Can I freeze my membership for an extended period?
Yes, however in order to reactivate it (or if there’s a change in Covid settings protocols) you must be fully vaccinated.

How do I know if everyone I come in contact with in the centre has had both vaccines and/or they haven’t expired and/or they’ve had their booster shot?
Staff will check everyone’s My Vaccine Pass when they enter the building.

My membership is currently frozen. Will it reactivate on the date I’ve requested?
Yes. You will however still need to show your My Vaccine Pass before entering the centre.

Opening hours

Opening hours remain the same. Please check your Rec and Sport Centre(external link) for opening hours.

Aquatics services

All aquatic services are open.

Lane swimming

Please check the lane availability to find the best time to visit the pool. 

Spectators

Mask use around poolside is recommended when not using the pool.

Swim nappies

You can still buy swim nappies.

Valuables

Valuable items will be accepted at reception for safekeeping.

Retail items

Retail items can still be purchased, but please use hand sanitiser before picking up items.

Group fitness pass and Aquafit tags

Class bookings are through our booking system(external link) (or by phoning 03 941 8999) and will be checked at reception. You don’t need to collect a group fitness pass or Aquafit tag.

All lessons will continue to run each school term. You can still leisure swim before and after lessons. 

Bubbletimes and Sleepytimes are running as usual.

Guidelines for attending lessons:

  • A My Vaccine Pass is required for everyone over the age of 12 years and 3 months.
  • It is mandatory to wear a mask in and out of facility, and in public shared spaces. Mask use around poolside is recommended when not using the pool.
  • Please use the national Covid contact tracing app and manual registration system.

Only one caregiver should accompany children to lessons. If you are a caregiver of an older child, please consider waiting outside our facility after check-in for your child to finish lessons. This helps with our capacity requirements.

Free swimming for under-fives and Green Prescription Card swimming is still available during school hours, Monday to Friday, during school terms.*

Pre-school Gymnastics classes

Pre-school classes will run as scheduled, starting on Tuesday 8 February 2022.

Please wash your hands before and after each session and please do not attend if you or your child is unwell.

Please wear your mask while you move through the building to the stadium, you may take it off when you are inside. Preschoolers do not need to wear a mask.

Tumbletimes sessions

Please check the website for details of days and sessions. Bookings are essential(external link).

Please wash your hands before and after each session, and please do not attend if you or your child is unwell.

Please wear your mask while you move through the building to the stadium, you may take it off when you are inside. Preschoolers do not need to wear a mask.

Equipment

The equipment is cleaned after every session.

Pickleball and badminton casual play sessions

Please wear your mask while you move through the building to the stadium, you may take it off when you are inside.

The Southern Centre is open. You can use the stairs and lift as normal.

Masks are mandatory. If you are unable to wear a mask please bring a supporting document.

Bookings

Please email southern.centre@ccc.govt.nz, phone the Southern Centre on 03 941 7016 or the Council’s Contact Centre on 03 941 8999.

Equipment

All of the big pieces will be out, but there may be some restrictions on the smaller pieces to ensure they can be cleaned properly between sessions. Equipment will be cleaned between each session.

Sensory Swimming

If you would like to attend this session, please book here(external link).

Our sports fields and Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub are open.

Please refer to your Regional Sports Organisation for guidance on training and games.

Outdoor Community Sport

  • The best place for advice is found on the SportNZ website(external link).
  • Regional and National sporting bodies will also be providing guidance for sporting activity across NZ.
  • Each sporting body will want to consider the Government’s advice, their governing agency and then decide on their best option for delivering their sport within the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.
  • Canterbury Councils are working closely with the local sporting community and Sport Canterbury to enable as much physical activity to occur as possible within the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

Stadia and aquatics facility hire bookings for indoor community sport and active recreation can operate safely with normal numbers. Masks must be worn while you move through our facilities but these can be taken off to play (or once seated for spectators).

Birthday Parties

Birthday party bookings at our pools are available. Please email rsubookings@ccc.govt.nz or 039416446 to make a booking.

Our campgrounds at Spencer Beach Holiday Park, Duvauchelles Holiday Park, Okains Bay and Pigeon Bay are open.

All camping facilities will require a My Vaccine Pass.  Full refunds will be given for any guests who are unable to stay due to this requirement.

If you have questions, please call the campgrounds directly or submit an online enquiry through the campground’s website.

Bookings

You must book and pay online for all sites except Pigeon Bay, which is operating with a deposit box for casual campers, and online payments for annual site holders.

Keeping you safe

Cleaning frequencies are in line with the Covid-19 Protection Framework

Additional hand sanitiser dispensers will be available outside amenity blocks. Disinfectant spray will be available in shared spaces to wipe down surfaces.

You will receive additional information in the booking confirmation email with guidelines for keeping safe.