Clean slate for QEII Park

QEII Park is now free of asbestos.

Contractors have finished removing the last of the asbestos-contaminated material that was found during the demolition of the earthquake-damaged QEII Stadium in 2012.

Cr David East is looking forward to seeing QEII Park being used by the community again.

The clean-up has taken several months, with the contractors removing 23,000 cubic metres of material – more than twice the original estimate.

“That material has all been processed, tested and safely disposed of and new clean soil brought in,’’ said Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation, Sports and Events, John Filsell.

“Tests done by environment specialists have confirmed the site is safe for public use and the new grass is starting to grow so we now have a safe environment for the continued development of QEII Park as a major destination for the community,’’ Mr Filsell said.

QEII Park is going to be home to the new QEII Recreation and Sport Centre. Part of the park will also be used to relocate Avonside Girls’ and Shirley Boys’ High Schools.

Coastal Ward Councillor David East said it would be a relief to the community to know QEII Park was now free of asbestos.

“The contractors have done a fantastic job of removing the asbestos-contaminated material and it is great to see shoots of green starting to appear on site. By the spring the area will be looking like a park again and the community will be able to resume using the space, which is great news for the community,’’ Cr East said.