Photo: SUPPLIED / CROWN INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY
The cost for a long-delayed sports centre in central Christchurch is expected to reach about $500 million, more than double the sum originally forecast.
The new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is due to be completed in October, almost a decade later than planned.
The project has been plagued by a littany of problems including construction headaches, unfavourable ground conditions, cost blowouts and legal wrangling.
In a statement on Friday, Crown Infrastructure Delivery confirmed the centre was now 90 percent complete following the construction of a five-metre deep dive pool.
The agency said it was expected to cost "around $500 million upon completion".
Considered one of the city's main post-quake anchor projects, the centre was originally expected to be completed in 2016.
However, a $75m budget blow-out saw a deal with a preferred contractor axed by the government, with the project later handed over to Crown-led project managers.
Photo: SUPPLIED / CROWN INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY
The delivery agency originally known as Ōtākaro Limited has had two re-brands over the course of construction, changing to Rau Paenga in 2023 and then Crown Infrastructure Delivery.
Construction finally began in 2018 with a revised completion date of October 2021.
This was revised to late-2023 as the pandemic presented further logistical obstacles.
The situation sagged further by 2022 as contractors CPB claimed for an additional $212m, a figure that ballooned to $439m in 12 months.
Both parties initially agreed on a contract price of $220m.
CPB took legal action in a bid to terminate its agreement in 2023 after Crown Infrastructure Delivery rebuffed claims of sizeable cost increases.
Lawyers for CPB described the situation as "a case where Humpty Dumpty could not be put back together again".
Photo: SUPPLIED / CROWN INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY
The High Court ruled against CPB barring the firm from suspending on-site construction works, with an appeal dropped in March 2024.
The Christchurch City Council's contribution to the project has been capped at $147m.
With the finish line in sight, Crown Infrastructure Delivery project director Alistair Young said they were starting to see several finishing touches to the project.
"The structure's platform stands about three metres high, with the tallest decorative leaves reaching up to seven metres," he said.
"It includes 36 different features - from lights and interactive water elements to three fun-filled slides. Surrounding the structure are an additional 28 ground-level water features, creating an engaging play zone for children of all ages."
The 32,000 square metre centre will be the country's largest indoor sport and aquatics facility.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
