In Christchurch, New Zealand, the Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre represents a key step in the city’s regeneration. It stands as the largest indoor sports and aquatics facility in the country, designed to support both high-performance sport and everyday community use.
Developed in response to the city’s post-earthquake renewal, Parakiore reflects a broader ambition to create resilient and inclusive infrastructure. Within this context, Myrtha Pools contributed a range of modular technologies designed to ensure long-term performance, adaptability and safety.
At the heart of the aquatic centre are two main pools: a 50-metre, 10-lane competition pool and a 25-metre pool, both built to World Aquatics standards. The Olympic-size pool was equipped with a movable bulkhead and a movable floor, enabling it to accommodate both elite training and a wider range of activities, from lessons to low-impact exercise.
The aquatic offering extends beyond competition. A dedicated diving pool, five metres deep and fitted with spray features and safety systems, supports both training and events. Alongside this, a network of leisure and wellness spaces, including a deep water and leisure pool, a warm water pool and adult spa, and a sensory pool, broadens accessibility and encourages inclusive use of the facility. Designed with zero-entry access, hydromassage features and air plate geysers, the sensory environment introduces a therapeutic dimension to the overall experience.
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Family-oriented areas play a central role. A spray park and kids pool with beach entry, interactive water elements and Myrtha Soft Floor surfaces creates a safe and engaging environment for early users. The presence of five hydroslides and a large water playground further reinforces the centre’s role as a year-round destination for the wider community.
The project’s technical approach is closely linked to its geographic context. Located in a region affected by significant seismic activity, Parakiore required solutions capable of adapting to ground movement. The Myrtha modular stainless-steel structure was selected for its inherent flexibility and resistance, allowing the pools to better absorb structural stress and maintain operational continuity over time.
This focus on resilience is matched by operational efficiency. The integration of Myrtha and RenovAction systems supports reduced maintenance requirements and long-term durability, while enabling precision in construction and future adaptability. Beyond the aquatic areas, the centre includes nine indoor courts for sports such as basketball, volleyball and badminton, alongside fitness studios and a High Performance Sport New Zealand training base. Together, these elements position Parakiore as a key venue for both national and international events, with an expected two million visits per year.
The architectural design by Warren & Mahoney reflects this dual ambition:
“Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre marks a major milestone in Ōtautahi’s rebuild. As the Southern Hemisphere’s largest indoor aquatic and sports facility, it unites everyday community use with high-performance sport. Guided by Ngāi Tahu narratives, Parakiore celebrates local identity, collective energy and Christchurch’s sport-loving spirit.”
Conceived as an “elegant shed”, the building combines large-scale functionality with a clear visual identity. Contrasting cladding helps articulate different volumes, while extensive glazing establishes a strong visual connection between interior activities and the surrounding urban environment.
Owned and operated by the Christchurch City Council and delivered by Crown Infrastructure Delivery, Parakiore is conceived as a long-term civic asset, supporting sport, wellbeing and social interaction within a flexible and future-ready framework.
Through its contribution to the aquatic infrastructure, Myrtha Pools played a central role in shaping a facility designed not only for performance, but for continuity, responding to the specific conditions of its context while supporting a wide range of users over time.
Foto credits: Crown Infrastructure Delivery
