“Christchurch suburb overlooked since the earthquakes, community leaders say”
By Tina Law | Apr 30 2018
An east Christchurch suburb overlooked since the earthquakes is close to breaking point, community leaders say.
Papanui Innes Community Board chairwoman Ali Jones told a council submissions hearing on Monday Shirley was in dire need of new community facilities, but had been largely left out of the Christchurch City Council’s draft 10-year budget.
“Our ward has been forgotten in many ways, particularly the Shirley area – an area that is in the east but not in the east we hear so much about. No big pool complex or hot pools here,” Jones said referring to facilities being built in neighbouring wards.
The council is spending money in the ward but almost entirely on infrastructure projects, including cycleways and land drainage work.
The Shirley Community Centre, once a busy focal point providing a home to many different groups, was demolished following the 2010/11 earthquakes and has yet to be rebuilt. No money has been allocated in the LTP to build a replacement facility.
Jones asked for $153,000 to be put back into the budget to begin consultation and design work on a new facility.