Cowles Stadium re-opens

Mayor Bob Parker has officially re-opened the newly repaired and earthquake strengthened Cowles Stadium today (Friday 12 October).

Work began on the stadium in Pages Road, Aranui, in July and was completed last month. It included strengthening the building to 100 percent of the New Building Standard (NBS) and minor repairs to roof and wall bracing at a cost of $480,000.

The stadium has been closed since last year after a Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE) assessment showed there was damage to the roof trusses and the building was below 34 percent of the NBS and therefore earthquake-prone.

Mayor Parker says Cowles Stadium has been a key facility in eastern Christchurch for more than half a century, with many school and sports groups coming from across the city to use it.

“When the Council gave approval for the stadium to be repaired as a priority earlier this year, it recognised the importance of ensuring our young people have somewhere to gather and play sport. Since the earthquakes, there has been a serious shortage of indoor courts in the city. It’s wonderful to have this facility back and up and running again as it has been sorely missed by the many sporting, school and other community groups who use it and who have had to find alternative venues in its absence.

“The school volleyball competition kicks off again this month and the Aranui Basketball Academy is again able to base itself here. It will be great to see the courts being used again.”

Cowles Stadium is a large indoor venue that has hosted many international and national sports competitions. Sports played at the venue include basketball, volleyball, netball, korfball, badminton and roller derby