Wheako rongo-pūrau
Southern Centre: Multi-Sensory Experience
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Learn, explore, create and stimulate your senses through the use of innovative lighting and sound technology.
The Southern Centre is a multi-sensory environment for people of all ages and abilities which helps reduce stress levels and develop social skills.
It is a unique facility with the ability to cater to the needs of the individual, empowering you to choose your own environment, make changes and control your leisure time.
Interact with the smell machine, bubble column, shadow wall and more – all aimed at stimulating an individual's senses through smell, touch, light and sound.
The Southern Centre is for everyone, however, individuals who would most benefit are adults and children who have learning differences, cerebral palsy, autism, multiple disabilities, anxiety or stress-related problems.
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Email: southern.centre@ccc.govt.nz
Phone: +64 3 941 7016
You can get to the Southern Centre on buses 60, 1, 44 and the Orbiter.
View 60 timetable View 1 timetable View 44 timetable View Orbiter timetable-
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Book your visit
To avoid disappointment, bookings are essential!
- Call 03 941 7016 or text 027 285 2089
- Email southern.centre@ccc.govt.nz
- Come see us in-person at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre
Please contact the Southern Centre if you would like more information. Facility tours are available on request.
You can find the Southern Centre upstairs at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre. There is an elevator near the doors through to the gym and back carpark.
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PriceIndividual - 30 minute session *#$12.50Multi-visit pass (x10 visits) #$112.50
# A 50% discount is available for Hāpai Access card holders for casual entry and multi-visit passes.
* A 30% discount is available for Community Services and Super Gold cardholders for casual entry and multi-visit passes.
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Benefits of a multi-sensory environment
- Promotes intellectual activity including memory recall
- Encourages relaxation
- Interactive equipment develops an understanding of cause and effect
- Helps to develop language – encourages participants to make choices or indicate their preference
- Promotes social skills and helps lower stress levels
- Last, of all, it's a fun environment
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History of the Southern Centre
The Southern Centre is operated under a very successful partnership between the Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Multi-Sensory Trust.
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Show more
The Christchurch City Council manages the daily operation of the Southern Centre, which includes staffing, general building requirements, processes and overhead costs.
The Trust is responsible for sourcing funding for the specialised equipment in the room, which includes new equipment projects and maintenance of equipment.
The original concept for multi-sensory rooms began in the Netherlands in the late 1970s and grew in popularity in both the UK and Europe.
The types and functions of sensory rooms have changed and morphed over the years and the Southern Centre is an extremely dynamic version of the early rooms.
This innovation and creativity have seen the Southern Centre recognised on the international stage, winning the World Leisure Award for Innovation and Excellence.
The first Southern Centre was located at QEII Recreation and Sport Centre until the February 2011 earthquake. It was then relocated to its current location at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre.
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Accessibility
At Christchurch Recreation and Sport we embrace diversity and believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities and access to recreation, sport and leisure facilities.
Christchurch Recreation and Sport Centres provide key accessibility features to ensure you can enjoy our spaces, including ramps, hoists, water chairs, changing rooms and toilets.
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You might like
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Sensory SwimmingCasual: $7.00 Multi pass: $63.00Sensory Swimming sessions are set in a calming, safe and supportive environment where people feel at ease and comfortable exploring new experiences.
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FUNky movementsCasual: $6.00A mixed ability, low intensity 45-minute class that combines gentle mind and body exercises for disabled people. No two classes are the same - they are always fun and support people are welcome.
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Birthday partiesCelebrate your child's special day with a fun and active birthday party at Taiora QEII, Pioneer, Cowles Stadium, Graham Condon or Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool.
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TumbletimesCasual: $5.00 Multi pass: $45.00Tumbletimes is a casual play session designed for babies and preschoolers to explore their physical capabilities at their own pace in a fun, safe and social environment.
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Pay to Play BadmintonCasual: $5.00 Multi pass: $45.00A fast-paced racquet sport that’s a great way to get moving, challenge yourself, and meet like-minded people.
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Pay to Play BasketballCasual: $5.00 Multi pass: $45.00Practice your layups, passes and slam dunks as an individual or with friends.
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Pay to Play PickleballCasual: $5.00 Multi pass: $45.00A fun, social game enjoyed by many for having a lower impact on joints, while still being great for fitness.
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