Final decisions on the future of the facilities will not be made until the assessments have been completed, peer reviewed and the outcomes agreed with insurers. An update on 9 August 2011 to the Council from structural and geotechnical engineers gave some indications of what those outcomes might include. They indicated the Christchurch Convention Centre and the Hadlee Stand at AMI Stadium had suffered severe damage. They are recommending demolition of these two buildings, however more time is required to complete assessments at all three event facilities.
The assessment process is a huge undertaking and it is likely to be some months before decisions are made. The Council is working closely with insurers as these evaluations progress, and while engineers have indicated their recommendations for some of the buildings involved, decisions on the future of the facilities are still some months away.
The Council understands that the community is eager to find out more about the future of our event facilities and want to ensure residents are part of the process of moving our city forward. Council has promised to keep residents informed as the work progresses and these latest reports are now available online. Council will continue to provide the very latest updates to the community as soon as the information becomes available.
The 9 August update outlines the latest information on the three facilities:
AMI Stadium
Cr Sue Wells at the AMI Stadium media conference 9 August 2011 [You Tube 36 MB]
The Hadlee Stand has suffered severe earthquake damage and engineers for the Council are recommending it be demolished.
Re-levelling and other repairs are required on the Tui Stand at the southern end of the stadium. More work is required to establish the best outcomes for the Paul Kelly Stand and the Deans Stand. Both have dropped around 300-400mm as a result of the earthquakes. The floors of both stands are uneven, with the floor height of the Paul Kelly Stand varying up to 70mm and the floor height of the Deans Stand varying up to 300mm. Engineers are still working to establish what the most appropriate repair method would be. One method of repair, if it is possible, could require driving piles down 25 metres to reach solid ground. Assessments on what is required to repair the turf and associated stormwater and irrigation are ongoing.
The scale of the re-levelling required on the Tui, Paul Kelly and Deans stands has never been undertaken before in New Zealand and is rare around the world. Engineers are working now to determine the best method of repair and to establish the costs involved.
The stadium will not be available for the 2012 season. In the meantime the Council is still working with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union on finding an alternative home for rugby in Christchurch. Media Q&A session with Hamish Riach, CEO Canterbury Rugby, on AMI Stadium status 9 August 2011 [You Tube 88 MB]
Once the engineering assessments have been completed, peer reviewed and costed, negotiations with insurers will be able to be progressed. These full reports are expected to be presented to the Council in October.
Download earthquake damage reports for AMI Stadium:
Structural Damage EPB Summary Report for AMI Stadium (pdf 1 MB)
AMI Stadium - Tonkin & Taylor Geotechnical Report (pdf 1MB)
AMI Stadium - Post earthquake turf assessment (pdf 1.7MB)
Christchurch Convention Centre
Cr Sue Wells on the damage to the Convention Centre and Town Hall - CCC media conference 9 August 2011 [You Tube 36 MB]
Engineers for the Council believe the Christchurch Convention Centre has suffered so much damage that it should be demolished. The outcome for the building has not yet been settled with insurers but discussions are progressing and an agreement expected soon.
Download earthquake damage reports for Christchurch Convention Centre:
Christchurch Convention Centre report - Tonkin & Taylor (NB large pdf 19MB)
Christchurch Convention Centre structural and rehabilitation options - ARCL (pdf 2.8MB)
Christchurch Town Hall for the Performing Arts
The main damage to the Town Hall has been caused by land movement rather than structural problems as a result of shaking during the earthquake. The ground has settled and lateral spread has shifted the foundations of the building, with some parts of the building moving 150mm toward the river. The level of the floor in the auditorium now varies by up to 450mm.
Assessments into what is required to repair the building are ongoing, with outcomes expected in November this year.
Download earthquake damage reports for Christchurch Town Hall:
Christchurch Town Hall Detailed Structural Assessment - Qualitative (NB large pdf 13MB)
Christchurch Town Hall Geotech Preliminary report (NB large pdf 16MB)
City event facilities frequently asked questions
AMI Stadium
How bad is the earthquake damage at AMI Stadium?
Preliminary engineers reports indicate the facility suffered extensive damage as a result of the recent earthquakes.
Will the stadium be demolished?
Engineers’ evaluations of the damage and necessary repairs are still being completed, however they have indicated that the Hadlee Stand is likely to be demolished. Decisions on the future of the facility will not be final until agreement is made with insurers.
What is required to repair the stadium?
Engineers are still working on recommendations outlining what would be required to repair the stadium. Re-levelling and other repairs are required for the Tui stand at the southern end of the stadium. Engineers are still working to establish what the most appropriate repair method would be – this could require driving piles down 25 metres to reach solid ground.
When will the stadium be re-opened?
The Council is still waiting for the engineers’ reports and for discussions with insurers to be completed.
What alternatives is the Council providing for rugby matches while the stadium is closed?
The Council will do all it can in working with the Rugby Union to find an alternative temporary home for rugby in Christchurch.
How will the community be involved in the process?
The Council will be kept informed as this process progresses and information will be made public as soon as it is available.
Why does the assessment process take so long?
The damage suffered at these facilities is extensive and the evaluation process is also significant. At some of the facilities, the repairs being considered are on a scale never seen before in New Zealand and it takes time for these reports to be prepared. It is important that enough time is taken to ensure the best outcome for the city.
The Paul Kelly and Deans Stands are new – why did they not stand up to the earthquakes?
The design standard allowed for earthquake of one in 1000 year event. What we had in February was a one in 2000 year event.
Christchurch Convention Centre
How bad is the earthquake damage at Christchurch Convention Centre?
Preliminary engineers reports indicate the facility suffered extensive damage as a result of the recent earthquakes.
Will the Convention Centre hall be demolished?
Engineers’ evaluations of the damage and necessary repairs are still being completed. Decisions on the future of the facility will not be final until agreement is made with insurers.
What would be required to repair the Convention Centre?
The Council is still waiting for the engineers’ reports and for discussions with insurers to be completed.
What alternatives are there for events which would have been held at the Convention Centre?
CBS Arena is still open
Will the Convention Centre be rebuilt? If so, will it be rebuilt on the same site?
It is too early to say. However a city Christchurch’s size needs a convention centre. It was insured for replacement.
Christchurch Town Hall
How bad is the earthquake damage at Christchurch Town Hall?
Preliminary engineers reports indicate the facility suffered extensive damage as a result of the recent earthquakes.
Will the Town Hall be demolished?
Engineers’ evaluations of the damage and necessary repairs are still being completed. Decisions on the future of the facility will not be final until agreement is made with insurers.
What is required to repair the Town Hall?
The Council is still waiting for the engineers’ reports and for discussions with insurers to be completed.
