Te Whareora - Recreation and Wellbeing Centre
Te Whareora Recreation and Wellbeing Centre
| Client | Ara Institute of Canterbury |
| Location | Christchurch |
| Services | Project Management |
| Value | $16 million |
This two-storey, 4,300m² multi-purpose sports, science and wellness centre was opened by Prime Minister John Key in 2015.
The centre houses sports facilities including a 1,100m² sports court, a fully equipped gymnasium, fitness studios, health centre, physiotherapy facility, and ‘The Zone’, a specialist testing facility and associated learning spaces to provide testing and training for the region's elite athletes, and experience in fitness assessment for Ara's sport science students.
The social hub of the building is the Sports Hall. The specialised sports and health functions are positioned around the hall and open into the large, naturally lit space. The tiered seating doubles as spectator viewing and an informal break-out teaching space.
The building incorporates energy efficient features such as solar heating for hot water and rubber flooring made from 6100 kilograms of used car tyres (about 680 tyres). The rubber reduces noise within the building reducing the impact on specialist areas where testing and teaching are taking place.
The main entrance to Te Whareora features an artwork which incorporates a drinks station, encouraging students to congregate. The building is utilised throughout the school holidays as an educational facility for children’s activities. It is a base for a number of sports clubs, and the space is fully bookable by the general public for events.
Te Whareora won a 2015 NZIA Canterbury Architecture Award in the Education category.