Seven years ago the Canterbury District Health Board deemed Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer Springs, surplus to its requirements and put it up for sale.

This Saturday, November 20th, we celebrate the formal vesting of six hectares of land and the Chisholm Ward, Soldiers' Block and Nurses' Hostel, into the stewardship of the Hurunui District Council.

This is a red letter day for the district and for the people of Hanmer Springs in particular, who have fought so passionately and for so long to retain the former hospital in public ownership.

Please join us on the lawn outside the Chisholm Ward to be part of this momentus occasion.

The celebration begins at midday with the formal handover by Conservation Minster, Kate Wilkinson, at 1:15pm.

November 20th is a big day for Hanmer for other reasons as well with the opening of the St James cycleway - the first "Great Ride" to be fully completed under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project, at 10am that morning.

It is another great attraction that will be bringing a number of visitors to Hanmer over time, but particularly this Saturday, when the Molesworth Run is also being held.

Runners are due to arrive in town between 2pm and 5pm that afternoon and while that shouldn't impact too much on traffic movement in the morning, there could be some delays in the afternoon particularly on Clarence Valley Road.

It is also important to note, due to ongoing construction works a small section of both the east side of Amuri Avenue and Conical Hill Road in the township are likely to be closed to traffic over the weekend. Though most of the parking should still be available.

The town will certainly be busy so please be careful especially around the intersection of Jacks Pass and Amuri Avenue and the detour routes around the closures

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