Jellie Park closure will not compromise swim training
The closure of Jellie Park for redevelopment will have limited impact on Christchurch’s ability to provide training facilities for competitive swimmers, says City Council Recreation and Sports Manager John Filsell.
Jellie Park will be close next month, on 5 April, for a scheduled 56-week construction period and Council has implemented short-term measures at existing aquatic facilities to accommodate the needs of groups and individuals who currently use Jellie Park.
Mr Filsell says Jellie Park is home to the Jasi Swim Club and nine Council swim training squads. Seven of these squads will be accommodated at QEII Park, with only minor changes to the scheduled training sessions they currently enjoy at Jellie Park.
“In accommodating these seven squads, Council has ensured it continues to provide for the grassroots of swimming in Canterbury, thereby continuing its strong support for growth in the sport.â€Â
Training programmes for the remaining two squads – Masters and Tris – will be integrated at other Council and privately owned aquatic facilities.
He says Council acknowledges there will be some inconvenience for all aquatic facility users in Christchurch but requests their patience and support during the next year.
“What has been fantastic is everyone focussing on the end result – a flagship aquatic facility for west Christchurch. The redevelopment of Jellie Park is the first of four new facilities being built under the Council’s Aquatic Facilities Plan – the first city-wide strategy to provide all Christchurch with year-round access to world-class aquatic facilities.
“In just 13 years we will have four new aquatic facilities and a city-wide network that will be the envy of all New Zealand.â€Â
He says calls to keep Jellie Park open while a new aquatic facility is built at Papanui has simply not been feasible because of the facility’s poor condition. Council has already fast-tracked Papanui under the Long Term Council Community Plan.
Jellie Park will be close next month, on 5 April, for a scheduled 56-week construction period and Council has implemented short-term measures at existing aquatic facilities to accommodate the needs of groups and individuals who currently use Jellie Park.
Mr Filsell says Jellie Park is home to the Jasi Swim Club and nine Council swim training squads. Seven of these squads will be accommodated at QEII Park, with only minor changes to the scheduled training sessions they currently enjoy at Jellie Park.
“In accommodating these seven squads, Council has ensured it continues to provide for the grassroots of swimming in Canterbury, thereby continuing its strong support for growth in the sport.â€Â
Training programmes for the remaining two squads – Masters and Tris – will be integrated at other Council and privately owned aquatic facilities.
He says Council acknowledges there will be some inconvenience for all aquatic facility users in Christchurch but requests their patience and support during the next year.
“What has been fantastic is everyone focussing on the end result – a flagship aquatic facility for west Christchurch. The redevelopment of Jellie Park is the first of four new facilities being built under the Council’s Aquatic Facilities Plan – the first city-wide strategy to provide all Christchurch with year-round access to world-class aquatic facilities.
“In just 13 years we will have four new aquatic facilities and a city-wide network that will be the envy of all New Zealand.â€Â
He says calls to keep Jellie Park open while a new aquatic facility is built at Papanui has simply not been feasible because of the facility’s poor condition. Council has already fast-tracked Papanui under the Long Term Council Community Plan.