Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says, by this time next year, the change to Christchurch's central city will be hard to believe.

Today Prime Minister John Key, Brownlee and Health Minister Tony Ryall attended the launch of the metro sport facility with Roger Sutton, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority chief executive, Warwick Isaacs, Christchurch Central Development Unit director and city councillors.

Mr. Key said the facility would cater for all sporting levels - from young children learning to swim to elite athletes training for international competitions.

A master plan for the $217 million facility is being developed by design consultants and early construction work is expected to begin in the second half of next year.

Mr Brownlee says the development for the Metro Sports Facility is a good example of the work necessary to get to an anchor project to the start of construction.

He added that "Over 2013 work on many of the 17 Anchor Projects has ramped up, starting with the necessary planning, proposals and contracting." "We can't turn a single sod without getting the process in order, and with the number and size of projects we are dealing with that means a considerable amount of work has been done behind the scenes to get us to this point.

"Collectively the Anchor Projects have gone to market seeking 13 Expressions of Interest and 33 Requests for Proposals, which have generated 251 responses and 44 separate successful tenders.