Start of Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment

Awarding of major contract marks start of Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment

Schick Construction & Cartage has been awarded the first main contract in the construction of Christchurch Hospital's Acute Services Building (ASB).

The Hamilton-based company will be responsible for enabling works on the site, behind Christchurch Women’s Hospital, according to Evan Davies, chair of the Christchurch Hospitals Redevelopment Partnership Group.

The works will include the relocation of underground services; installation of new sewer tanks; removal of some trees on the site; installation of hoardings; reorganisation of traffic flows at the front of the hospital and excavation in preparation for the ASB’s foundations.

Activity will start on Monday 29 September with a carefully staged reorganisation of the traffic flows at the front of the hospital. This work will be done in small sections to minimise disruption and is expected to take until the end of October. The current car park at the rear of the site will still be available to patients and visitors during this time.

Mr Davies says, ‘The enabling works will continue until March 2015, with construction of the ASB planned for completion by mid 2018’.

The 62,000 square metre ASB is part of the $650 million plus redevelopment of Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals. It will include new operating theatres; about 400 new beds; purpose-designed children’s facilities; an expanded intensive care unit; a state-of-the-art radiology department; a new emergency department; a helipad; and car parking.

The ASB is one of the anchor projects in Canterbury’s recovery from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. It will also assist the Canterbury District Health Board in meeting the health needs of its growing and increasingly ageing population.

Because of its importance to Canterbury people, the ASB will be constructed to the highest seismic standards.

ENDS

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