Project Details:
Five minutes from the CBD of Christchurch, New Zealand, this nine-hundred-acre property of perfect contours and elevations make up the Christchurch Adventure Park. The park features New Zealand’s longest chairlift, mountain bike trails and New Zealand’s longest and highest zipline.
How Did We Help:
Select Contracts brought in a wealth of Bike Park and Adventure Park knowledge to this project. We led the development, conception to opening and operations. In addition, we completed a feasibility study, public engagement, strategic alignment with the local and federal government, business planning and master planning through detailed design, construction management, pre-opening and operations.
The Brief:
Internally at Select Contracts, we wanted to find a way to create a sustainable business model centred around year-round mountain bike operations with an uplift chairlift. We needed to decide what country would be the ideal location for the park to ensure success. As this would be the first operation of its kind globally, we had the challenge to prove its viability to investors.
Our Approach:
We conducted location analysis on several sites worldwide. We settled on New Zealand due to its favourable climate, existing sports involvement and tourism and its alignment with strategic priorities for the local and federal Government and stakeholders.
Our next step was to conduct an in-depth market study to fully understand every aspect of the New Zealand Mountain Bike market and how our offering would fit in. Next, we created a detailed business model and benchmark analysis to prove the business case for the world’s first year-round chairlift operation for mountain bike and adventure activity use.
We engaged stakeholders, potential funders and investors early and then consistently through the process to ensure alignment of priorities and development plans.
The Result:
Four years of completing extensive market research, business planning, master plans, schematic design and fulfilling planning permissions brought us to opening day, December 16th, 2016. The intensive 9-month build time from first sod-turning to completion had the park opening on time and budget. The project has had substantial financial support from the local Government and immense community support.
Today the park is fully operational and features New Zealand’s longest chairlift at 1.8 kilometres, specifically designed to carry riders and their bikes, and accommodates sightseers and guests starting on their Zipline Tour.
The park also hosts mountain bike trails ranging from beginners to advanced and a mix of wide flow tracks and technical single-track. The Zipline Tour features four dual zip lines, including New Zealand’s highest at 150 metres and New Zealand’s longest at 1.1 kilometres. The park also offers mountain bike coaching with experienced coaches through various classes and clinics.
We are so proud of this project, the most forward-thinking mountain bike and adventure park operation of its time, in New Zealand or anywhere globally!