1. ‘Shirley Community Centre’ Rebuild History
2. Delegated Authority for the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ (2016)
3. ‘St Albans Community Centre’ Rebuild Process
4. Mayor’s Recommendations for CCC Long Term Plans
5. Prior Community Board Proposals
6. Christchurch City Council Delegations Register
7. Updated Feasibility Study (2023)
8. Co-Studio Architects Plans (2025)
9. ‘Shirley Community Facility’ Working Party
10. Waipapa P-I-C Community Board: Deputations
11. Waipapa P-I-C Community Board: Consultation
12. Waipapa P-I-C Community Board: Updates
1. ‘Shirley Community Centre’ Rebuild History
In 2012, after the Canterbury Earthquakes, the Shirley Community Centre at 10 Shirley Road/Shirley Community Reserve, Richmond was demolished.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-community-centre-decision-making/
In 2016, the Christchurch City Council gave Delegated Authority for the ‘rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre’* to the Shirley/Papanui Community Board.
* “process similar to that put in place by the Council for the rebuild of the St Albans Community Centre be followed”.
2. Delegated Authority for the ‘Shirley Community Centre’ (2016)
Item 12. Proposed Shirley Community Centre Rebuild Request for Delegated Authority (31 August 2016)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2016/09/CNCL_20160908_AGN_480_AT.PDF
Pages 91-92
Report from Shirley/Papanui Community Board – 31 August 2016
“At their meeting of 31 August 2016 the Shirley/Papanui Community Board considered a process for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre.
The Council has allocated funding of $2.57 million to cover the capital costs of the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre.
This project is in Tranche 1 of the Community Facilities Rebuild Programme.
Information from the Project Manager indicates a timeframe of around 18-24 months from approval of the concept design through to the opening of the new facility as well as the time needed for the consultation process.
Initial consultation with the Shirley community by the Shirley/Papanui Community Development Advisers regarding the rebuild of a facility in Shirley has already started and will continue until 17 November to be followed by a community conversation.
This information will assist with determining a draft concept plan for the Community Centre.
The Board wishes to proceed with this project and suggests that a process similar to that put in place by the Council for the rebuild of the St Albans Community Centre be followed.
Accordingly the Board requests that delegated authority for decision-making around the Shirley Community Centre project be given by the Council, including the delegation of authority to make decisions from the recommendations of the Working Party and from staff for the siting, design and rebuild process and future management of the facility.
The Board agreed at their meeting that:
– Terms of Reference, similar to those developed for the St Albans Community Centre rebuild process will be developed for this project and will be considered for approval by the Papanui/Innes Community Board at the start of the next electoral term.
– The formation of any Working Party and the arrangements for any first meeting will also be delayed until the start of the next electoral term.
– The decision as to the site of the new Shirley Community Centre will also be made by the Papanui/Innes Community Board in the next electoral term.”
Item 12. Proposed Shirley Community Centre Rebuild Request for Delegated Authority (8 September 2016)
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2016/09/CNCL_20160908_MIN_480.PDF
Page 5
“Council Resolved CNCL/2016/00368
That the Council:
1. Delegates the necessary authority (as per the St Albans Community facility) to the Shirley/Papanui Community Board (to be the Papanui/Innes Community Board in the next term) for decisions regarding the rebuild and future management of the Shirley Community Centre at either 10 Shirley Road or any other selected site.
2. Request that the Community Board talk with staff around potential options for a regeneration plan in this area under the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Act 2016.
Councillor Cotter/Councillor Livingstone, Carried”
The Shirley/Papanui Community Board were given by Council the Delegated Authority “for decisions regarding the rebuild and future management of the Shirley Community Centre” ten years ago.
15 years after the Canterbury Earthquakes, our communities around Shirley Road are still waiting for a new building to be built, with very little progress achieved by the Board over the last ten years.
3. ‘St Albans Community Centre’ Rebuild Process
The Board has not followed a “similar process put in place by the Council for the rebuild of the St Albans Community Centre”:
Community Meeting, Terms of Reference, Draft Concept Design, Consultation, Drop-in Sessions, Amended Concept Design, Approved Concept Design, before going out to GETS for: Expressions of Interest (EOI) & Request for Tender (RFT).
Christchurch City Council ‘Have Your Say’ Consultation, May 2016
Proposed New St Albans Community Centre
Designed by your community for your community
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/HYS/2016/may/Consultation-PIL-St-Albans-Community-Centre.pdf
“Following feedback from the community, the Shirley-Papanui Community Board worked alongside staff and a community workshop was held on 9 September 2014.
A new working party was established by the Shirley-Papanui Community Board in November 2015.
Since then, this group and Council staff have been working together and now have a concept design for feedback from the wider community.”
Consultation: 27th May 2016 – 20th June 2016
Feedback letter to Submitters: June 2016
Community Board Approval: July 2106
Construction (subject to approvals): 2017
‘St Albans Community Centre consultation begins’, 25th May 2016
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/st-albans-community-centre-consultation-begins
“The local community will be able to discuss how they think the new community centre could enhance St Albans, and how they see themselves using the facility, before the final design is approved by the Shirley–Papanui Community Board.
The current design concept has been developed by the community, alongside Christchurch City Council and the St Albans Community Centre Working Party…
Mike Davidson, chair of the Shirley–Papanui Community Board, says the Board is excited with the development and progress of the new centre and is looking forward to the design going out for public consultation…
The working party was established by the Shirley–Papanui Community Board in November 2015. The party consists of representatives from the St Albans Residents Association, St Albans School, Edgeware Business Association, St Albans Pavilion and Pool Group, a youth representative and representatives of the Shirley–Papanui Community Board.
“Using information from both pre- and post-earthquake, a design has been created that truly captures the essence of St Albans.
This group has worked with Council staff to create a concept design, which is now ready for feedback from the wider community.” Mr Davidson says.
There will be two drop-in sessions at the transitional St Albans Community Centre, 1049 Colombo Street for the public to come and meet the working party and discuss the project.”
‘St Albans Community Centre plans progressing’, 10th April 2017
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/st-albans-community-centre-plans-progressing
Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board, 26th October 2018
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2018/10/PICB_20181026_AGN_2443_AT.PDF
– 7. St Albans Community Centre – Final Floor Plan (Page 14)
– 15. Papanui-Innes Community Board Area Report – October 2018
4.3.3 St Albans Community Facility (Page 83)
“The St Albans Community Facility Working Party met on 15 October for their last meeting. The Working Party agreed to the amended design and recommended that the Papanui-Innes Community Board move forward with the project as per the briefing received earlier in this meeting.”
‘Design unveiled for St Albans Community Centre’, 15th May 2019
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/design-unveiled-for-st-albans-community-centre
GETS Expressions of Interest (EOI) for St Albans Community Centre Construction, 22nd February 2019
https://www.gets.govt.nz/CCC/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=20685053
GETS Request for Tender (RFT) for Construction of St Albans Community Centre, 4th June 2019
https://www.gets.govt.nz/CCC/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=21004890
‘Celebrations as new community centre opens in St Albans’, 11th April 2021
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/celebrations-as-new-community-centre-opens-in-st-albans
4. Mayor’s Recommendations for CCC Long Term Plans
By the beginning of 2018, the funding for the new Shirley Community Centre had been ‘Removed from Programme’, Community Facilities Rebuild & “the Papanui-Innes Community Board has take the rare step of starting a petition to fight the city council over funding.”
In May 2018, after my 1st verbal submission to Council for the Draft Long Term Plan 2018-2028, Former Mayor Lianne Dalziel’s recommendations:
Mayor’s Recommendation for CCC Long Term Plan 2018-2028
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2018/06/CLTP_20180622_MIN_2843_AT.PDF
Page 6
8. Funding new and existing community facilities
a. That the Council requests staff to complete the Community Facilities Network Plan as soon as practicable…Potential developments include but are not limited to; the Shirley Community Centre*
* Staff directed to engage external independent consultants for:
– ‘Community Needs Analysis for Richmond’, December 2018 &
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Richmond-Community-Needs-Analysis-Report.pdf
– ‘Shirley Community Centre Feasibility and Business Case’, 8th August 2019
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Shirley_Community_Centre_Feasibility_Report_and_Business_Case_August_2019.pdf
I was interviewed by both external independent consultants for these reports.
Mayor’s Recommendation for CCC Long Term Plan 2021-2031
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2021/06/C-LTP_20210621_MIN_5408_AT.PDF
Page 25
M8: 10 Shirley Rd
M8A: That the Council reinstates $3.0 million funding formerly set aside for the rebuild of the Shirley Community Centre in FY 2029/30 – FY 2031/32 to enable a subsequent annual plan to bring the funding forward if plans are progressed.
M8B: That the Council adds $35,000 in FY 2021/22 for an updated feasibility study to look at other options, including incorporating the current Shirley library*.
* Staff directed to provide an updated feasibility study in FY 2021/22.
Shirley Community Reserve Memo, 10th June 2022
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2022/06/PICB_20220617_AGN_7648_AT.PDF
Page 97
4.3 A feasibility study is currently underway to estimate the construction costs for four potential options for a new community facility.
1. Mixed use hub incorporating a library, service centre, and community operated community space,
2. Community operated large community facilities building,
3. Community operated small community facilities building,
4. Outdoor options similar to Dallington landing.
5. Prior Community Board Proposals
– Crossway Church Proposal, 2016
From 2013 to 2016, “staff explored options for a third-party funded and managed facility”, which was eventually rejected.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/crossway-church-proposal/
– CCC Draft LTP 2024-34 Workshops, May 2024
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-draft-ltp-2024-34-workshops/
“Staff are through the Board Chair [Emma Norrish] currently negotiating with a ‘prospective Community Partner’ [‘Shirley Road Central’*] and a ‘sympathetic Building Company’ [Townhouse Property Developer] to develop this facility in a Community Partnership through the Build and the Operation.”
* ‘Shirley Road Central’ Constitution: “To support the development of a community hub including a modern library, and meeting rooms on the site at 10 Shirley Road for the use of the surrounding communities.”
A ‘contemporary’ community centre/Citizen Hub, not a ‘traditional’ community centre.
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/shirley-road-central-group/
6. Christchurch City Council Delegations Register
https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/The-Council/How-the-Council-works/Delegations-Register/Delegations-Register.pdf
Page 97 & 98
Community Facilities
1. To approve site selection and to approve the final design of new local community facilities (for example community halls, volunteer libraries, club rooms, public toilets).
Limits:
– This power may not be sub-delegated.
– Any financial decisions are subject to the maximum of what is approved in the current LTP/Annual Plan and associated cost centre budgets.
– This delegation does not include community facilities that have network or citizen hub implications.
For example swimming pools, libraries, and multi-use service centres.
2. To approve alterations and additions to the design of existing local community facilities (for example community halls, volunteer libraries, club rooms, public toilets).
Limits:
– This power may not be sub-delegated.
– Any financial decisions are subject to the maximum of what is approved in the current LTP/Annual Plan and associated cost centre budgets.
– This delegation does not include community facilities that have network or citizen hub implications.
For example swimming pools, libraries, and multi-use service centres.
3. To the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board authority to make decisions regarding the rebuild and future management of the Shirley Community Centre at either 10 Shirley Road or any other selected site.
Landscape development plans for parks and reserves
1. Approve and adopt any new landscape development plans for parks and reserves provided the design is within the policy and budget set by the Council.
Limits: This power may not be sub-delegated.
2. Approve the location of, and construction of, or alteration or addition to, any structure or area on parks and reserves provided the matter is within the policy and budget set by the Council.
Limits: This power may not be sub-delegated.
7. Updated Feasibility Study (2023)
Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board, 13th June 2024
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2024/06/PCBCC_20240613_AGN_9127_AT.PDF
Item. 9. Shirley Community Reserve: Proposed Community Facility
Pages 29 – 39, Council Staff Report
Page 40, ‘Shirley Community Reserve Feasibility Study’ Memo
Page 42 – 81, ‘Shirley Community Reserve Feasibility Study’ by Sylvia Docherty for Christchurch City Council
8. Co-Studio Architects Plans
‘Shirley Community Facility’ Plans:
– 28th March 2025 | Concept/Preliminary Design 100%
– 9th July 2025 | 100% Developed Design
– 20th August 2025 | Issued for Information
– 1st September 2025 | 100% Detailed Design
– 10th November 2025 | 100% Detailed Design
The ‘Concept/Preliminary Design’ plan had already been created, before the first meeting of the ‘Shirley Community Facility’ Working Party in April 2025.
9. ‘Shirley Community Facility’ Working Party
For background info see:
‘2. Working Party | Members, Role & 2023 Consultation Feedback from the Working Party members’
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/new-building-updates/
Working Party Members:
– Shirley Community Trust (MacFarlane Park Centres)
– Shirley Village Project
– St Albans Residents Association (Kohinga St Albans Community Centre)
– Eastern Community Sport and Recreation Inc (Avon Hub)
– We are Richmond (Avebury House).
The Working Party did not include:
– Shirley Playcentre (located on the Reserve)**
– Shirley Primary School (located opposite the Reserve)**
** The current plan has halved onsite car parking at the Reserve.
– Shirley Recreational Walkers (meet at the Reserve)
– Canterbury Genealogy (formerly NZ Society of Genealogists – Canterbury Branch. Located at 10 Shirley Road from February 1990 until the February 2011 earthquakes. Now located at Parkview Community Lounge, with drop-in sessions at Shirley Library on the first and third Saturdays of each month.)
– Community Advocates or
– Residents from the communities around Shirley Road.
The Working Party met 3 times: April, June & July 2025.
Q. What are their roles in the Working Party, design & build process of the new building?
https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/lgoima-request-ticket-1323259/
– Discuss and provide feedback on the development concept and any other relevant documentation relating to the project.
– Raise the profile of the project and provide a channel of communication so that the wider community feels confident, informed, and engaged about the project and the progress being made.
– Work as a team to achieve the overall goal of the project.
– Provide recommendations, and suggestions to the Project Team to ensure that the design meets the needs of the community.
– Act as a conduit between Council and the Community to inform the development of the facility and park space.
The ‘Concept/Preliminary Design’ nor the ‘100% Detailed Design’ plans were not made public, until plans were included in the agenda for the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board meeting on the 11th September 2025.
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2025/09/PCBCC_20250911_AGN_9141_AT_WEB.htm
10. Waipapa P-I-C Community Board: Deputations
Deputations were allowed at the 11th September 2025 Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board meeting, but not at the 11th December 2025 meeting, where the Board approved the final design for the ‘Shirley Community Facility’.
11. Waipapa P-I-C Community Board: Consultation
At no stage in the process of developing the ‘Shirley Community Facility’, has there been a Consultation on the ‘Concept’, ‘Developed Design’ or ‘Detailed Design’, to allow the whole community to give feedback on their community facility.
12. Waipapa P-I-C Community Board: Updates
– GETS Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Shirley Community Facility, 3rd February 2026
https://www.gets.govt.nz/CCC/ExternalTenderDetails.htm?id=33289900
– Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board Meeting Agenda, 13th April 2026
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2026/04/PCBCC_20260413_AGN_11311_AT_WEB.htm
Actions Register: Updated Shirley Community Facility Design
Meeting Date: 11 December 2025, Due Date: 12 March 2026
Unit: Professional & Technical Serv, Team: Project Management