Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre will undergo a multi-staged closure so that scheduled maintenance and refurbishment work can be carried out.

The stadium will close on Monday 9th December 2024 and all other parts of the facility will close on Monday 6th January 2025. They will reopen in stages during February - based on the amount of work being undertaken in each space.

“The closures have been planned to take place during this period as it is the quietest time of year at Pioneer,” says Nigel Cox, Head of Recreation, Sport and Events at Christchurch City Council."

Mr Cox thanked the public for their patience while the work is carried out.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming the community back to an updated and improved Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre from early February 2025 onwards."

Find out more about the Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre summer closure (Christchurch City Council).

Summer's around the corner Ōtautahi - time to dust off your bike and get out there!

Warm weather and long evenings beckon, so why not reacquaint yourself with your bike? Feel the wind in your hair as you explore our beautiful city on two wheels! Biking is a great way to travel a little further than you might on foot, get the benefits of exercise and fresh air - and find new corners of Christchurch to discover and enjoy.

We know that not everyone feels super confident on a bike; for those of us who might be a bit tentative, we’ve put together this list of fun and scenic trips suitable for less experienced riders. Most of these are on shared paths so having a bell on your bike will be super helpful for alerting walkers that you're approaching.

Find out about the best bike rides in Christchurch for less confident cyclists (Christchurch City Council).

Catchball is a lot like Volleyball – but you must fully catch the ball instead of bumping and spiking the ball in the air.

It doesn’t require a ton of skill to get started so is suitable for women from 18 to 60+ years with a reasonable fitness level, a decent pair of gym shoes and a willingness to learn.

Dates: Tuesdays from 15th October to 17th December 2024.
Time: 10.30am to noon.
Location: Avon Hub Sports Centre (77 North Parade, Richmond).
Cost: $60 for the whole term or $8 per session for casuals. First time is FREE.

Find out more about women's catchball at the Avon Hub (Facebook).

Women's catchball also runs at the Lyttelton Recreation Centre on Thursdays from 5.45 to 7.15pm.

Join an uplifting and relaxing 8-Form Tai Chi workshop from the Healing Hut - designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners. This powerful sequence captures the essence of Tai Chi with simple, graceful movements that can easily fit into your daily routine.

Date: Saturday 16th November 2024.
Time: 9.30am to 1pm.
Location: All Saints Anglican Church (30 Church Lane, Merivale).
Cost: $168 per person.

Find out more about this 8-Form Tai Chi workshop, including how to register. Limited to 10 participants so book now!

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Here are some snippets on the latest physical activity research or news that we found interesting.

The Victorian Government has released a guide on how sport can be used as a tool for preventing gender-based violence.

Recent research highlights an additional, lesser-known benefit of exercise: it can also play a pivotal role in financial success. It's clear that exercise is also about maximising brain power and consequently your earning potential.

Recent research reveals that women experience more significant health improvements from exercise than men - highlighting the critical importance of physical activity for women's health.

Read more Active Canterbury news.

The Active Canterbury Newsletter is produced bi-monthly and aims to keep local physical activity providers informed. It has a focus on latest physical activity research, upcoming education and training opportunities, key events and tips on how to practically apply research and industry tools.

View the latest newsletter: AC Network Newsletter February 2024

Access previous editions of the newsletter.