Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP) staff were allowed onsite today to start assessing the extent of the fire damage in the Park. CAP Chairman, Maurice Noone, says he is pleased to report that, on inspection today, the damage is less than was first feared.

“The outcome is considerably different to the fires of 2017 and will likely see the Park fully re-open with all current attractions within the next few months.

“While it is very early days and a full inspection is still required, the initial impression is that the damage is largely confined to new growth following the 2017 fires and to one area within the Park. Pleasingly, the village and its immediate surrounds, the chairlift and the ziplines all appear to have escaped any significant damage.

“However, full inspections will be required to confirm this and to identify if there is any damage that is not currently visible. We are currently working through a process to be able to commence this work once we are granted access back to the Park.

“At this time, we do not know when we will get full access back to the Park, or how long the inspection processes will take. Indications are that, best case, the Park may be able to reopen by Easter, however, that is extremely dependent upon a number of factors beyond the control of the Park at this time.

“We are also very conscious of the fact that this is still a live fire that carries significant risk, and it could still be some time before fire crews are satisfied that the Adventure Park is safe to re-enter.

“We would like to thank the Fire Service and all emergency responders for the excellent job they have done in fighting this fire and protecting the homes and infrastructure that it was threatening.

“We would also like to thank and acknowledge the numerous messages of support that have been received from the local community and from around the world at this time. This has been hugely appreciated by the staff and all involved.

“We will provide a further update should anything change, or should any further information come to light.”

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