Following Monday?s 100-day blueprint announcement by the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU), Sport Canterbury?s Geoff Barry has labelled Christchurch ?the city of inspiration.?
Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Geoff Barry believes that the the Avon?s unique natural environment will enable Christchurch to create a world-leading recreational and sporting corridor.
?Under tragic circumstances, Christchurch was presented with an unparalleled opportunity,? says Barry. ?It?s a city that has chosen to leverage its natural environmental advantages. It?s a community that values collaboration.?
The blueprint revealed specific revitalisation plans that rely on an alliance ? commerce, heritage, arts, culture, sport and recreation, all working in partnership. It also confirmed that Hagley Park will play an integral role in metropolitan sport development by neighbouring the new facility to complete the central ?hub.?
This completes an accessible recreation space with the ultimate ?indoor-outdoor? flow for enthusiasts ? preserving green space while maximising value of the new facility.
?Our opportunity is to transform the lifestyle of Christchurch residents, as well as the visitor experience,? says Barry. ?Hamish Riach and Lee Germon in particular have been true advocates and helped shaped our future ? beyond rugby and cricket, for spectators and participants, sports clubs and local families. As the Sport and Recreation Leadership Group originally proposed in the May Spaces and Places Plan, key to this is a series of sport and recreation ?hubs? ? Hagley is one, and the Avon Corridor is another.?
The city?s eastern suburbs environment is characterised by ocean, river, estuary and earthquakes ? which have created new land use on either side of the river.
Barry believes that the Avon?s unique natural environment will enable Christchurch to create a world-leading recreational and sporting corridor.
The Avon Corridor will link the city to sea, from Hagley Park to the estuary, along the seaside suburbs of Sumner and Scarborough. This pathway of activity will enhance the already unique eastern suburbs environment with their wetlands, Bottle Lake Forest Reserve and coastline.
?The Avon River traverses a natural environment that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Alongside the enhancement of the Central City, the enhancement of the Avon Corridor will act as a magnet to establish Christchurch as one of the world?s most liveable cities ? the city of inspiration.?
Opportunities for suburban Christchurch will also come from identifying future venues for sports such as hockey/tennis/athletics/gymsports, a new east side community pool and recreation facility to ensure access to water safety skills are not lost, and a new Avon Corridor that could set Christchurch apart from every other city in the world.
Here?s a view of what the new Avon Corridor could look like.
Monday?s 100-day blueprint announcement included specific references to sport and recreation, including:
- Collaboration will see sport and recreation working alongside the performing arts, and the commercial sector in partnership with the new metropolitan sports facility.
- Hagley Park makes a critical contribution to the metropolitan sport and recreation hub. The iconic ?green space? will complement facilities where like-minded people enjoy leisure time and training, creating a uniquely Christchurch ?indoor-outdoor? flow that promotes fitness and accessibility.
- The new central city will not only encourage walking, running and cycling ? it will provide the infrastructure to make it happen. Efficient city planning and a compact metropolitan area encourage greater (and realistic) use of ?leg power.?
- A network of accessible pathways will make it easy to navigate through and around the city.
- Places of work are well connected to places for ?play? ? promoting an active lifestyle.
- The city will have the capacity to host central events such as a marathon and shorter running/cycling events, including large-scale participation (eg City 2 Surf).
- A new bus terminal location promotes public transport and ensures convenient access to maximise use of both the metropolitan sports facility and Hagley Park.
- The enhancement of Hagley Oval creates an exciting opportunity for community sport and international fixtures.
- Future central city plans will include a new rectangular sports stadium and outlet to flat water, with opportunities for club use and instruction, for paddleboarding, yachting and more.
According to Barry: ?The benefits of this blueprint relate to the ways that local families and visitors alike experience our city, education, social networks for people of all ages, training pathways for future Olympians, and the wider community?s physical and mental health.?
About Sport Canterbury
Sport Canterbury is a charitable trust with offices in Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Greymouth and Hokitika. We create opportunities for participation, development and sporting success by developing partnerships in our communities. We believe in the value that sport and physical activity provides to people of all ages across the region. Our team has a depth of experience in leadership, education, health and sport, to deliver funding assistance, resources, programmes and events that reach over 500,000 people each year.
www.sportcanterbury.org.nz
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Living in this special part of the South Island, I'm one of many people fortunate enough to enjoy the sporting opportunities that go along with our alps to ocean environment. Whether surf, cycling or team sports, there are so many ways to make the most of living in Canterbury. I look forward to helping you connect with local events, community programmes and the team at Sport Canterbury, who are passionate about seeing "more people, more active, more often."
Visit Sara's WebsiteSource: http://keepsportalive.org.nz/2012/07/the-city-of-inspiration/
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