Our public facilities remain open under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 and steps have been put in place to ensure people can maintain physical distancing and that we have the ability to contact trace.

Our services may be operating slightly differently than normal

To help keep everyone safe, please stay at home if you or anyone in your house is unwell.

We encourage you to download the NZ COVID Tracer app(external link).

Here's a snapshot of the current status of our services. We will continue to keep this up-to-date.

For the latest updates visit Newsline(external link).

Unite against COVID-19(external link).

Recycling

  • Put your bins out as normal.
  • Help us to recycle, please put the correct, clean items into the yellow bin(external link) 
  • If parked cars are in the way please place your bin on the road, closest to the kerb. Alternatively, place at the end of your driveway.
  • During level two truck drivers will be able to check bins for the correct items again. 
  • Find out more about our services under Alert Level 2(external link) 

EcoDrop transfer stations

  • The EcoDrop transfer stations at Parkhouse Rd, Bromley, and Styx Mill are operating as normal.
  • You can drop off rubbish, greenwaste and recycling and household hazard waste without a booking.
  • Hazardous items that you will be able to recycle at the EcoDrop include: gas bottles, car batteries and garden and paint products.
  • In Banks Peninsula, Barry's Bay transfer station is operating under winter hours (12pm to 4pm, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday). Community collection drop-off services are available as per normal.

All Council-operated community centres are open.

The key things you need to know when you are hiring a community centre under Alert Level 2 are:

  • Physical distancing must be in place at all times during an event. Please stay one metre apart from each other at your event.
  • All gatherings must be limited to 100 from midday Wednesday 12 August until midnight on Friday 14 August 2020.  
  • Contact tracing measures must be followed. Government QR code signage is up at all Council-owned community centres.
  • Good hygiene practices must be followed at all times.
  • Please stay home if you are unwell.

Graham Condon, Jellie Park, Taiora QEII, Pioneer, Cowles, Campgrounds, Sports Fields and Nga Puna Wai remain open.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Find out more about using a Rec & Sport Centre under Alert Level 2.(external link)

Follow us on Facebook at @ChchRecSport(external link)

  • We know many people in our city are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. We’re here to help.
  • If you are under financial stress, we are offering an extension of time for rates payments.
  • Find out if you're eligible and apply online.

All parks and tracks are open. Please make sure you keep a 2-metre distance from others.

Building consents

We're processing building consents as normal under level 2.

  • You can apply for a building consent electronically.
  • Building Inspections will continue under level 2, with additional health and safety measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • If you have any questions about your application you can call us on  03 941 8999. Please ask for the duty building consent officer or planner. 
  • You can get advice prior to applying for a building consent. Send your request to DutyBCO@ccc.govt.nz. We will respond within 48 hours and will ask questions or information that's needed to provide advice that has been requested.

Resource consents

We are processing resource consents as normal under level 2. 

You can apply for a resource consent electronically. 

If you have any questions about your application you can email our duty planner at DutyPlanner@ccc.govt.nz or call us on 03 941 8999.

  • We have strict hygiene procedures in place for the safe operation of our drinking-water supply network.
  • There are currently no water restrictions in place for Christchurch or Banks Peninsula.
  • As per government advice, all events and gatherings can be held with up to 100 people.
  • We are working with event providers to confirm the status of their event and will be updating the What's On Christchurch website regularly.
  • As always, if you are sick or feeling unwell, please do not attend public events or visit public places.
  • We are currently accepting event and filming permits. More information on event permits including how to apply.(external link)
  • More information on filming permits(external link).

Easy Read information on COVID-19.(external link)

Easy Read information from Work and Income during COVID-19.(external link)

Recreation and Sport Centres

Graham Condon, Jellie Park, Taiora QEII, Pioneer, Cowles and Nga Puna Wai are all open.

To help manage numbers and avoid waiting times an online booking process(external link) for group fitness classes and Tumbletimes is in place. Bookings are essential. You can book up to seven days in advance and cancel any time via the email booking notification.

Fitness Centres and pools do not require bookings.

Book online now, or phone 03 941 8999 to book through our Call Centre.

Swimsmart, gymnastics, sport groups and the Southern Centre
For programmes such as Swimsmart, gymnastics, the Southern Centre and sport group bookings, the standard booking process applies.

 

There’s no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs.

Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g. with chlorine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

We’re following guidelines from the Government, Exercise NZ, Sport NZ and Worksafe for Alert Level 2, and have protocols in place to ensure your safety. These include:

  • COVID-19 signage throughout our centres
  • A contact tracing system
  • An online booking process(external link) for group fitness classes and Tumbletimes
  • We will be following physical distancing guidelines in our fitness centres
  • Group fitness class limits to maintain physical distancing
  • Deep cleaning prior to opening and regular cleaning of high-touch areas
  • Hand-sanitiser stations (70 per cent alcohol) before entering and as you move around the centre
  • Perspex screens at receptions
  • Removal of hard-to-clean furniture surfaces
  • Staff training to ensure Alert Level 2 guidelines are followed to protect the health and safety of everyone who visits
  • Boxfit classes will not run under Level 2 and will be changed to an alternative style. Spin classes at Graham Condon will not be running at Alert Level 2

Cleaning and hygiene

  • We’ll be ‘misting’ our Recreation and Sport centres using a water-based aerosol sanitiser called Zoono, to provide a barrier to stop the virus surviving on surfaces
  • Hand sanitiser (70 per cent alcohol) stations are available at points throughout our centres
  • We’ll be carrying out deep cleans prior to opening and regularly cleaning high-touch areas with disinfectant
  • We’ll have disinfectant solutions available to customers in the gyms so they can wipe down equipment after use
  • We’ll increase the daily cleaning and disinfecting of public areas
  • We’ll put COVID-19 signage in place to remind people to follow good hygiene practices, including washing hands
  • Hard-to-clean items will be removed from the fitness centres and group fitness studios. Please bring your own mat to Stretch and Release, Yoga and Pilates classes as limited mats will be available. 

Physical distancing
We’ll have signage to promote physical distancing in our centres and classes.

Our staff will be monitoring this. We expect all users of the centres to follow the Government’s guidelines to practise physical distancing. Behaviour that affects the comfort and/or safety of other users or staff will not be tolerated and offenders may be asked to leave the premises and could be banned for a period of time.

Mask and gloves
It’s your personal choice whether you wear a mask or gloves.

Contact tracing
People visiting our facilities are required to sign in using the national COVID Tracer app(external link) and scanning the QR code so we can help keep you safe. You don’t need to scan on the way out.

For those people who don’t have a smartphone, a sign-in register will be available on entry.

Caregivers of young children can simply scan themselves in once for their children.

There may be a small queue as you enter and complete the contact tracing process. We’ll keep people moving as quickly and as safely as possible and ensure physical distancing. 

The contact tracing information is kept private and secure and will only be used by the Ministry of Health if needed. The information is permanently deleted after 60 days. 

Flexi membership payments
Flexi membership payments will continue.

Fees and charges
Our membership and admission fees will stay the same.

Freezing memberships
We understand if you choose to freeze your membership and will continue to offer various options to freeze or extend your membership.

You can freeze your membership until you want to return by filling out the freeze form at ccc.govt.nz/flexi-and-fixed-membership-freeze-form(external link) or by emailing us at recandsport@ccc.govt.nz

Swimsmart membership
Please refer to Swim Education section.

Opening hours
Opening hours remain the same as before. Please check your Rec & Sport Centre(external link) for opening hours.

Arriving at a centre
Please make sure you’ve already booked a session before you arrive for group fitness and Tumbletimes. The centres will have managed entry/exit points. This is to ensure contact tracing. We’ll have staff available to assist you on entry.

With your smartphone, simply scan the QR code with the COVID Tracer App(external link) at the entrance to the centre. You don’t need to scan on the way out.

Caregivers of young children can simply scan themselves in once for their children.

Some times of the day can be busier than others and we will continue to monitor capacity to ensure our customers can physical distance. There may be queues at times, please be patient with other customers and our staff while we work through these changes together.

Aquatics services
The following aquatics services are not available under Alert Level 2:

  • Steam, saunas
  • Shared equipment such as hydrotherapy equipment. Limited aqua-jogging belts and kick boards will be available. Please return them after use for cleaning.
  • Hairdryers
  • Water fountains, except to fill drink bottles
  • Inflatables and pool toys
  • The wave pool at Pioneer is closed

Changing rooms
Changing rooms are available with limited capacity. Please change at home and arrive wearing swimwear, if possible. Limited showers will be available but please shower as quickly as possible to avoid overcrowding and waiting.

Pool-side seating
Safe distances will be marked out to allow people to sit poolside. For swim education, one caregiver per child is allowed poolside.

Prams
Prams are allowed pool-side, but only one caregiver with the pram, please.

Lane swimming
Lanes will be limited to four people per lane. Please check the lane availability to find the best time to visit the pool here(external link)

Leisure spaces
Leisure spaces are open but with limited capacity. You may have to wait if the area is full.

Spectators
To increase space for physical distancing, we need to limit spectators to one spectator per swim lesson student.

Swim nappies
You can still buy swim nappies. 

Hydrotherapy pool
The hydrotherapy pool will be open but due to reduced capacity, we ask that only people undertaking therapy or rehabilitation activities use the hydrotherapy pool. If the pool is at full capacity, please wait until someone leaves before your enter.

Spa pools
Spa pools are open with limited capacity and a time limit of 15 minutes to allow a quick soak after exercise. Please respect the time limit and physical distancing. If the pool is full you may have to wait.

Aqua-jogging
Aqua-jogging will be available with limited capacity. You may have to wait if the lane is full.

Retail items
Retail items can still be purchased, but please use hand sanitiser before picking up items.

Wheelchair users
Customers who need physical assistance will need to be accompanied by a caregiver. Staff cannot provide assistance other than in the event of an emergency, such as an evacuation.

Group fitness pass and Aquafit tags
Class bookings are now through our online booking system(external link) (or by phoning 03 941 8999) and will be checked off at reception. You don’t need to collect a group fitness pass or Aquafit tag.

Swimsmart lessons
We’ve had to reduce our classes to meet physical distancing and number limits. The classes going ahead allow the instructor to be outside of the pool, which keeps our staff and customers safe (physical distancing).

Free swimming for under-fives 
This is still available during school hours, Monday to Friday, during school terms.

Swimsmart
Until Saturday 26 September our Swimsmart programme will continue to run with reduced times and programming. 
At Taiora QEII, Graham Condon, Pioneer and Jellie Park, Swimsmart lessons will be running for Tigersharks, Barracudas, Marlins and Squads at the usual times. All other lessons are on hold.

A new lesson programme for all Swimsmart levels will start from Monday 28 September. Bookings open on Monday 21 September.

The new programme allows us to move between COVID Alert Levels 1 and 2 without disruption to our lessons whilst ensuring we continue to meet Ministry of Health, Sport NZ and NZ Swim Teachers and Coaches Association guidelines and recommendations.  

New programme guidelines during Alert Level 2:

  • We encourage swimmers to arrive and leave in their swimwear to reduce the number of people using the changing rooms
  • Swimmers will need to arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before their lesson start time
  • There will be entry and exit points for classes starting and finishing to enable physical distancing  when not participating in lessons
  • If your children would like to have a leisure swim before or after their lesson, please speak with the customer experience team at reception to ensure there is capacity.  You will not be able to go directly from your swimming lesson
  • One spectator is allowed per family
  • Instructors will be back in the water for the levels that require them to be and will continue with physical technique correction as required
  • All equipment will be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each lesson
  • When each lesson finishes, spectators will need to meet swimmers at the exit point. This will enable physical distancing from the next group starting their lessons.

Fixed membership credits
For lessons missed due to the reduced programme offering during term 3, a credit will be applied on your family account.

Flexi membership holds
For lessons missed due to the reduced programme offering during term 3, you will have an additional 21 day hold put on your direct debit membership payments. Your child will be re-enrolled into the new programme at a class time closest to one they were booked into during term 3.
You will receive an email notification of your new class time.  If this does not suit and you need to change it, please either visit our customer experience staff, call us on 03 941 8999 or email us at swimsmart@ccc.govt.nz

To find out more, please email swimsmart@ccc.govt.nz 

 

Bubbletimes and Sleepytimes
Due to pool spacing and number limits Bubbletimes and Sleepytimes are not running.

Gymnastics classes
After-school gymnastics classes will continue running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 13 August with minor changes. We will finish the 3.45pm class 10 minutes early at 4.35pm, and start the 4.45pm class five minutes later at 4.50pm. 

If you arrive early please wait in your car. We ask for limited spectators so only stay if your child needs you to. Please follow the directions of staff for entry and have the government NZ COVID Tracer app(external link) downloaded and ready to use.  

Pre-school classes will continue running as normal. 

If you have any questions, please email jenny.jordan@ccc.govt.nz

Tumbletimes sessions
Tumbletimes sessions are running in a reduced capacity from 13 August at Pioneer and Cowles. They will not be running at Graham Condon until further notice. Please check the website(external link) for details of days and sessions. You must book through our new online booking system(external link) to attend Tumbletimes. You can book up to seven days in advance and cancel any time via the email booking notification.

There’s a maximum of two children per adult. Small equipment isn’t available, but there’s plenty of large gym equipment to have fun with.

Spectators for gymnastics
Pioneer stadium will be operating with gatherings of 100 inside. To allow these groups to practise physical distancing, if you can wait outside, please do so.

Multiple activities
Pioneer stadium will have both basketball and gymnastics operating.  Numbers will be managed by our booking teams, together with our programmes, services and sports groups, to make sure physical distancing can be achieved easily and safely.

Equipment
To ensure effective cleaning, we’ll only be using the big gymnastics equipment. The small equipment ‒ such as push toys, balls, hoops, ribbons, etc ‒ will not be used.

The equipment is cleaned after every session.

The Southern Centre is open.

You can bring up to 10 children (or adults) with a support adult.

Please wait in the area outside the Southern Centre and staff will let you know when you can enter the room. The stairs and lift can be used.

You don’t have to wear a mask or gloves; it’s your personal choice whether to wear a mask or gloves.

Bookings
Please email southern.centre@ccc.govt.nz

Phone the Southern Centre on 03 941 7016 or the Council’s Contact Centre on 03 941 8999.

Equipment
All of the big pieces will be out, but there may be some restrictions on the smaller pieces to ensure they can be cleaned properly between sessions. Equipment will be cleaned between each session.

Our sports fields and Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub are open.

Please refer to your Regional Sports Organisation for guidance on training and games.

Please arrive at the facility in time for your game/training. Please don’t arrive early and wait, as we need to limit numbers to ensure physical distancing. This includes waiting in the foyer areas.

Under Alert Level 2, spectators are not permitted in the pool halls to watch training/games. This is to manage numbers across a number different activities happening in these spaces.

Spectators in the sports halls will be counted as part of the 100 maximum capacity and will be managed by the booking holder.

Your sports association or club can give you more detailed information, including how they plan to manage the scheduling of games, warm-ups and spectators.

Bookings
He Puna Taimoana(external link) will remain open under Alert Level 2 but we are reducing our booking numbers to ensure people can maintain physical distancing. As several of our sessions were pre-sold before we moved to Alert Level 2, we have contacted people who may have booked one of our busier sessions to discuss rescheduling.  

Visiting He Puna Taimoana
If you are visiting He Puna Taimoana, please turn up at your session time, not earlier. You will also need to sign in with the Government’s contact tracing app(external link) when you arrive. If possible, please arrive with your swimwear on under your clothes.

Guests with implanted cardiac devices are currently unable to use the pools. 

Steam room and sauna
Under Alert Level 2 the sauna and steam room will be closed. Our shower facilities will remain open.

Member visits
Under Alert Level 2 we will continue to hold member tickets to each session. However, if you wish to reserve a place please email info@hepunataimoana.co.nz advising the session you want to book for. If we exceed the number of allocated spaces for members we will be operating a one-in, one-out policy.

Cleaning
We will be cleaning and sanitising between sessions under Alert Level 2, using a 30 day disinfectant.

Our campgrounds at Spencer Beach Holiday Park(external link), Duvauchelles Holiday Park(external link), Okains Bay(external link) and Pigeon Bay are open.

If you have questions you can call the campgrounds directly or submit an online enquiry through the campground’s website.

Bookings
You must book and pay online for all sites except Pigeon Bay, which is operating with a deposit box for casual campers, and online payments for annual site holders.

Keeping you safe
Cleaning frequencies are in line with the Government’s Alert Level 2 guidelines.

Additional hand sanitiser dispensers will be available outside amenity blocks. Disinfectant spray will be available in shared spaces to wipe down surfaces.

You will receive additional information in the booking confirmation email with guidelines for keeping safe.