It will take around 18 months to demolish QEII Park

Work is set to get underway this week to demolish most of Christchurch's QEII Park Recreation and Sport Centre.

The complex, specifically built in the eastern suburb of New Brighton to host the 1974 Commonwealth Games, has been closed since last year's February 22 earthquake.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority issued the Christchurch City Council with demolition notice for the complex in April.

It's expected the demolition will take about 18 weeks.

Buildings to be demolished include the main stadium building, the covered stand, the north and south stands, and the athletics track.

The 50-metre pool, which is in a separate building, will not be demolished at this stage.

Contractors will be on site this week and fencing will be put up. It'll be two to three weeks before the demolition work begins, the Christchurch City Council says.