Deconstruction of two badly damaged Council community facilities
The deconstruction and demolition of two Christchurch City Council-owned community facilities is expected to begin in the next few days
Sumner Museum and Community Centre and Redcliffs Voluntary Library are both badly damaged and will be deconstructed and demolished over the coming days.
Following the 22 February earthquake further significant damage was caused to the Sumner Museum and Community Centre building. The Council met on 9 June and approved its deconstruction and demolition.
Acting Community Services General Manager John Filsell says the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority has approved its deconstruction and demolition. This will happen as quickly as possible to assist with the recovery of business in the vicinity.
Redcliffs Voluntary Library was badly damaged in the 22 February earthquake and has been closed since then. It sustained further significant damage in the 13 June earthquake and due to the technical challenges of the narrow site propping the building was not possible. It has been approved for immediate demolition.
Libraries and Information Unit Manager Carolyn Robertson says the building is now in a dangerous state and continues to deteriorate. Sadly this means the building must come down.
“This means the services offered by the Redcliffs Voluntary Library volunteers cannot continue on this site in the near future, although they are offering an interim service from an alternative site. If residents would like to use the services of Christchurch City Libraries, up to date information is available on Libraries website or by contacting the Library.”
Phone: (03) 941-7923
Email: library@ccc.govt.nz
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says it is very hard for these communities to face losing these key buildings.
“There will be gaps in the streetscape, and people will miss the special services offered by the volunteers, this is unavoidable, however, it is hoped the deconstruction and demolition of these buildings will help with the continued recovery of these suburbs,” he says.
The deconstruction and demolition of Sumner Museum and Community Centre is expected to take around 10 days to complete. However, this will be dependant on the progress made during the deconstruction.
Sumner Museum building, built in 1907, is the former Sumner Borough Council Chambers and is a Group 3 Protected Heritage Item in the Christchurch City Plan. Sumner Museum operated from the Sumner Borough Council Chambers since 1979, holding early archives, land deeds from 1851, plus many local diaries, photos, paintings, historic artefacts, and World War Two memorabilia relating to the area.
To the rear of the Museum is the single storey Community Centre building which is also to be deconstructed and demolished.
The deconstruction and demolition of Redcliffs Voluntary Library is expected to take between four and five days to complete. The library is not listed in the Christchurch City Plan.