An indoor training facility will be built at Christchurch’s Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub to help current and budding throwing sports stars hone their skills and improve their strength.

Christchurch City Council and Athletics New Zealand signed an agreement to develop a new 20 m by 30 m Indoor Throwing and Strength Training Facility on the site, a feature which is in line with the original concept for Ngā Puna Wai.

It is designed for training in throwing sports, including shot put, discus and hammer throw, and will also house strength and conditioning equipment that all Ngā Puna Wai sports people will be able to use.

The facility will be located within the current athletics zone at the sports hub and is expected to open later this year.
It will provide a place for athletes to train during the winter months in preparation for this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games, which begin in July.

Athletics NZ and its partners are investing the total capital cost of $686,000 and will also pay for all operational and running costs for the facility.
Additional toilets planned for Ngā Puna Wai will be installed by the Council in the new facility.

The facility will cater to elite athletes with dreams of following in the footsteps of shot putter Walsh, as well as younger sports people who are still developing their skills.