Ruakākā Rec Centre

This was a project born from the community itself. A tenacious team of locals had a vision for a purpose-built sport and recreation facility — and our role was to help turn that vision into reality. Working from a simple concept and a fixed budget, we used an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) approach to maximise efficiency, streamline design, and focus on constructability from day one. Through early collaboration and regular meetings, we built a shared understanding of goals, constraints, and process — ensuring the design reflected both community needs and long-term functionality. Every design decision was driven by value, purpose, and usability.

The completed Ruakākā Rec Centre is a purpose-built 900 m² community recreation facility designed for flexibility and flow. It features separate male and female gym facilities, and a large central space for meetings, gatherings and events. There are also smaller breakout spaces for community meet-ups and activities, a kitchen and storage facilities.

Officially opened in October 2024, the Ruakākā Rec Centre has quickly become a vibrant hub of community life. From early-morning gym sessions to evening classes and weekend events, the building hums with activity and purpose. Gym attendance has surged since opening, driven by modern, fit-for-purpose spaces and upgraded equipment. The project’s success has already sparked plans for Stage 2 — a court sports facility — building on the momentum of a community that believes in its own potential. Full credit to Andreas and Christine Thirling, and the dedicated local team who led the charge and made this remarkable community project possible.