QEII Opening in Parklands

(PR.co.nz) QEII Recreation and Sport Centre’s fitness centre is moving to the Parklands Community Centre until a new permanent home can be found for it in the city’s eastern suburbs.

“We’ve searched the eastern suburbs looking for somewhere we can offer health and fitness opportunities for people living in this part of the city in the meantime and we’ve identified the Council-owned community centre as being the best option. It has enough space, the necessary facilities, parking and minimal set-up costs,” says the Council’s Recreation and Sport Business and Programme Manager, David Bailey.

Parklands Community Centre has a sports hall, a sports lounge, meeting rooms and offices. The fitness centre will occupy the sports hall (about the same size as its former QEII base). The sports lounge will still be available for use by the Parklands United Sports Club and that club’s committee has agreed to accommodate other groups wherever possible. A range of community organisations opened their doors and offered spaces to other groups that used to be based at the community centre.

“The fitness centre will be opening its doors at the Parklands Community Centre in mid August and we are contacting QEII fitness centre users to let them know the good news,” says David Bailey.

A survey of QEII fitness centre members showed that most would reactivate their membership to the new facility. The full range of fitness equipment from the QEII fitness centre will be available to them at the new Parklands location.

“We have no idea how long the fitness centre will remain at Parklands, but its re-location there is an important step in ensuring access to health and fitness opportunities in eastern Christchurch.” says David Bailey.

The fitness centre was part of the QEII complex, which has been closed since the February earthquake because of structural damage and liquefaction. QEII was also home to pools, a stadium and tracks as well as being the base for the New Zealand Academy of Sport’s Centre of Excellence. Future options for the complex are still being considered.

Media Release 15 July 2011 from Christchurch City Council.