CYCLING

Christchurch central city car park set to become New Zealand's most unique sporting stadium

By enthuse



A Christchurch central city car park is set to become New Zealand’s most unique sporting stadium in late November.
 
The Urology Associates Car Park Cannon Ball will be eight floors of speed and excitement as cyclists will go head to head, two at a time from the bottom to top of the eight story Innovation Car Park building in the city’s Innovation Precinct with event organiser John McKenzie from enthuse media & events saying “early interest has been amazing.”
 
“It’s such a cool, unique event and will be so good for the inner city and we’re looking forward to raising the profile of men’s health as the event will be a key Movember fund raiser as well. We have some great sponsors who are all excited about not only the event, but the opportunity to raise some funds for Movember, engage with staff and clients, have some fun and celebrate all that’s happening in the inner city.”
 
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men's suicide.
 


“The current state of men’s health is in crisis with too many men dying too young, on average four years younger than women,” John says. “We need to act and raise funds for men’s health and stop men dying too young and with my background and experience in cycling, media and events, I know a cool bike event will be a great way to do that.”   
 
John says that although the riders will provide entertainment, great music and commentary showcasing the rider’s efforts will provide a fantastic atmosphere mixing with the crowd encouragement. Appetites will be well catered for with corporate hospitality available as well as a wide range of food and beverage options. “The buzz and atmosphere will be amazing,” John says. “The Innovation Car Park will become an inner city street party and I can’t wait to see it all happening; it’s going to be a pretty special event.”
 
“The event is all about participation and community engagement as well as celebrating the rebirth of the central city and raising funds for Movember. The location, being a car park in the exciting new Christchurch Innovation Precinct, a focal point for innovation and entrepreneurship Christchurch, is key as we want it to play a role in the reenergising of the central city so it links to being innovative, creative and exciting, all key elements of the Innovation Precinct.”
 

 
The Urology Associates Car Park Cannon Ball will be a first for New Zealand and is part of a global series backed by Dutch based beverage company offering a bicycle beer targeted at the cycling market aBloc and the Christchurch event sponsors includes Urology Associates, Fulton Hogan, Opus, Specialized and Chain Reaction Cycles, Kathmandu, SMITH optics and Revbox NZ. The event also has the support of the Christchurch City Council, Innovation Carpark Limited/Lichfield Lanes development and the NZ Cycling Journal. NZME and Radio Hauraki are the official media partners of the event. 
 
The Urology Associates Car Park Cannon Ball will bring together graded club racers, fixed-gear hipsters and those who just love riding their bikes and will be held on the evening of Sunday 26 November.  
 
“Two riders, eights floors and a wall of sound; its urban life meeting urban bike riders. It’s a bike event but not as you know it.”