Tuesday 23 June 2015

Contractor appointed for Town Hall restoration

Christchurch City Council has appointed Hawkins Construction to undertake the Town Hall restoration.

Hawkins has been appointed following a tender process for the restoration that closed on 17 March and a Council decision on 11 June to fully restore the Town Hall. Contractors will be preparing the site over the coming weeks, with construction expected to begin in mid-July.

Council Unit Manager Anchor Projects Liam Nolan says the experience of Hawkins' project team was a key reason the company was chosen to undertake the Town Hall restoration.

"We are pleased to have a project team on board that has worked on large restoration projects and is committed to bringing this project in on time and budget. We're looking forward to construction getting underway on this milestone project for our city," Mr Nolan says.

The team has worked on a number of high-profile and complex heritage restoration and construction projects such as the Auckland Art Gallery redevelopment, completed in 2011, the restoration of the University of Canterbury Staff Club (Ilam Homestead) completed in 2013 and the Auckland War Memorial Museum redevelopment completed in 2006.

Hawkins Construction South Island Regional Manager Steve Taw says Hawkins is very proud to have been awarded the restoration contract for one of the city's key civic icons.

"Our project team brings together local experience with large-scale national heritage expertise and respect for the cultural and environmental significance of the site. We want to restore the Christchurch Town Hall so it will once again become a central meeting place for the people of Christchurch," Mr Taw says.

Warren and Mahoney Managing Director Peter Marshall says, "The appointment of Hawkins to carry out the strengthening and refurbishment marks another milestone for this important Christchurch civic building. The complexity of the project cannot be underestimated and Hawkins has the skill and experience to bring the project to a successful conclusion."

A total of $127.5 million has been budgeted for the Town Hall restoration. The restoration work, which will be completed in 2018, includes repairing and strengthening the Town Hall to 100 per cent of New Building Standard as well as a significant upgrade and refurbishment of the facility. This includes a possible reconfiguration of the James Hay Theatre which addresses the needs of the performing arts community.

We are planning a media opportunity/ tour of the Town Hall before construction begins and will be in contact once this is organised.

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