EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BY ME - A CHRISTCHURCH CITY RESIDENT:
# Not sure which players will be at Westfield Riccarton this arvo - but is on 3.30pm -4.15 pm at Rebel Sport in the mall.
Use Google Maps to find all locations, including match venue at new AMI Stadium, Addington. Enter this search to find the stadium (as Google Maps still has the old condemned stadium listed under "AMI") : Rugby League Park, 95 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington 8024
To find locations in Christchurch enter search terms here:
https://maps.google.co.nz/
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# Also catch some AW's at the launch of the new outdoor Futsal pitch "Gap Filler" project sponsored by Nike & the All Whites - this is on corner of Hereford St and Colombo St on a vacant site where a building has been demolished - actually is edge of Red Zone , so can access. Close to Cathedral Square. Press release:
Futsal fans in Christchurch. Get down to 104-120 Hereford Street CBD (RED ZONE) on Monday 15th October from 3.30 pm and come and see your very own inner city futsal pitch thanks to our awesome sponsors nikefootballnz. Check out the action:
# Mainland Futsal ASB Futsal National league team take on the Futsal Whites
# Meet the All Whites and Futsal Whites
# Get on the pitch and "Give it a Go" in the Kings and Queens of the court knock out tournament. WITH PRIZES!! And we all love prizes.
# All Welcome, get on down people!!
This pitch will be available to all-comers for games for the next several months...
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Visiting fans - as a Christchurch urban resident, I suggest as much as possible you try and visit the inner city and patronise businesses there - there are plenty of cafes, shops and bars still open if you look around and they really need your custom.
It's natural you'll be visiting bars and restaurants near AMI Stadium in Addington ,and those in nearby Riccarton - but to be honest, these locales get plenty of patronage now and the inner city needs your custom more.
It's also interesting to view the scale of devastation in the inner city and view some demolitions (including some very large buildings and historic buildings)
Check out: # Victoria St from Bealey Avenue up to the Casino on Kilmore St intersection (bars and restaurants).
# Himalaya Restaurant - the only restaurant surviving in the main dining strip of the city, on the main street - first restaurant to rebuild after the Feb 2011 quake and surrounded by empty sites. Close to damaged Town Hall at 830 A Colombo Street between Peterborough & Salisbury -real central. Good Indian food and good prices - dine in or take-away. Order on website: http://www.himalayas.co.nz/
# "Re-Start Mall" - a whole shopping centre built from shipping containers - Cashel Mall - access from Oxford Terrace (opposite Bridge of Remembrance on river). Clothes, craft, souvenirs, cafes etc. open till 6pm
# Take a Red Zone guided bus tour - only public access to the still-quarantined centre of town around the Square. Must book - can do so near departure point at Info Centre next to Museum just prior to taking. Info here:
http://www.redbus.co.nz/new-zealand/redzonetour/
# Best urban bus system in NZ still functioning well - routes and timetables to all city buses here:
http://www.metroinfo.co.nz/Pages/default.aspx
# Museum is the only public cultural facility remaining open from before the quakes in the central city. Check out the Canterbury Earthquakes display where you'll find the Cathedral spire, major toppled statues and recordings of peoples' experiences etc.
# Best town in NZ for free Wi-fi - look out for 50 public phone boxes and Telecom hubs with free Wi-fi (look for white tubes on roof of box) Nearest free Wi-fi point to stadium here, really close-by:
Westpac Centre, 55 Jack Hinton Dr, Addington - Free WiFi internet access