Client: Select Contracts (Lead Consultant) / Development Christchurch Ltd
Construction Cost: $22m
New Brighton is a coastal suburb of Christchurch located 8km East of the city center. The suburb has a large expanse of easily accessible beach with a large modern pier. The beach is exposed to a persistent easterly wind making it a popular kite surfing spot. It is also a popular surf spot as the wave break is good and consistent. With its architecturally unique pier and 18km-long Eastern coastline, great access to the beach from the majority of the suburb, coastal pathways and the Avon River, New Brighton has natural character and appeal.
Unusual for a coastal town however, New Brighton lacks the affluent development typical of coastal suburbs. Instead, the region consists of low-value land and property. Prior to the earthquakes of 2011, the suburb was already in economic decline. As a compound result, the suburb suffered significant impacts to infrastructure and livelihood and therefore has had a slow and uncertain recovery. Despite this, New Brighton is known for having a passionate community with a strong identity who wish to work collectively to improve the suburb.
The Christchurch City Council (CCC) and Development Christchurch Ltd (DCL) have identified an opportunity to develop a concept for a hot water salt pool to be located on the foreshore that will not only offer New Brighton locals a recreational facility, but will be designed to attract visitors from other areas of Christchurch and the region helping to revitalize the coastal suburb.