Wednesday 7 March 2012

Victoria Lake beautifying Hagley Park once more

Christchurch City Council has completed earthquake repairs to Victoria Lake in North Hagley Park , just in time for the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

The lake bed was damaged in the September 2010 earthquake, and its water drained away as a result.

Christchurch City Council has repaired the 20,000 square metre lake by replacing the ruptured lake bottom with a new clay lining. Work started in March 2011 and was completed this month.

Mayor Bob Parker says the original completion date for repair of Victoria Lake was November 2011, but wet weather caused delays. “The clay our team was working with relies on dry conditions to be useable, and there were very few stretches of dry weather in 2011 in which to get everything done.

“Fortunately, we’ve got it looking like its picturesque former self just in time to act as a backdrop to the Ellerslie International Flower Show.”

Almost 5000 cubic metres of debris – a 20-year build-up of leaves, duck droppings, bottles and cans – was removed prior to the re-lining of the lake. The new lining has been created using 6000 tons of bentonite clay, similar in consistency to Plasticine, and topped with a firming additive and protective layer of recycled grit.

Originally one acre of swamp, Victoria Lake was transformed into a four-acre landmark in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria ’s reign.

ENDS

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