Christchurch regeneration minister Megan Woods says we’ve had a generation of young sports people grow up without access to the facilities they need and that isn’t good enough.
In a message to local swimmers she said: "I’m sorry you had to wait, there should have been a pool open for you."
A high-performance swimming stadium was planned in 2016 but had to be put on hold after the new Government terminated the contract with Leigh's Construction.
"The previous Government simply did not have a realistic plan to make sure this facility would ever be delivered. After seven years all they left us was a patch of dirt and a $75 million budget blow out."
The centre will not be open until 2021.
Swimming Canterbury West Coast chairperson Wayne Rollinson said two generations of local swimmers won't get to experience regular training at an Olympic sized pool.
He says swimming in Christchurch has become significantly more expensive since the quakes.
"Parents are having to pay up to $5000 per swimmer to compete nationally around the country."