What |
Demolition of the Opawa Library |
|---|---|
Why |
The earthquake-damaged building is being removed to clear the site for the construction of the new Opawa Library and Community Facility. |
Where |
192 Richardson Terrace (corner of Richardson Terrace and Opawa Road) |
When |
From 25 March 2019, completed before 30 April 2019 |
Contact |
Contractor Paul Smith Earthmoving, telephone 03 341 7266, 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday. Jon Malis, Christchurch City Council Project Manager, 03 941 6692 or 027 706 901. |
Work to demolish the existing Opawa Library, and to clear the site ahead of construction getting underway on the new Opawa Library and Community Centre building, begins on Monday 25 March. The demolition work is expected to take three to four weeks to complete.
The existing Opawa Library was badly damaged in the 2010-11 earthquakes and is an earthquake-prone building. The cost to repair the building was significantly above the available budget and the building will now be demolished and replaced with a new facility. The new facility will combine the existing Opawa Library and the Opawa Children's Library on one site.
The date for the start of construction of the new Opawa Library and Community Centre is yet to be confirmed, but we are anticipating it will begin in June 2019.
A small amount of asbestos-containing material will be removed before demolition begins. Worksafe New Zealand safety protocols for the removal of the asbestos will be followed. This work will take one day. Following the removal works, an independent contractor will inspect the site and verify that it is clean and completely free of asbestos. Demolition works will only begin once it is confirmed the asbestos has been completely removed.
Please take extra care in the area around the construction site while work is underway. We will be doing everything we can to ensure residents’ safety. However, please be aware of the following if you are near the site:
- Any new signs and cones indicating detours for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles
- construction equipment and trucks moving
- uneven surfaces
- holes in the footpath.
Cones and/or signs may be used to restrict public access to the area whilst construction is underway. Unfortunately, in some instances this may temporarily affect parking. This is necessary to complete the work without delays and we appreciate your understanding while the work is underway. We will be working from Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm except when site conditions prevent us from doing this.
This work may cause noise and vibration at times, but we will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we do this work.
A Council arborist inspection determined that the trees in front of the building were dead. The dead trees were subsequently removed as they were a health and safety risk. For more information contact Jon Malis, Council Project Manager, on 03 941 6692 or 027 706 9011. Any other questions about other earthquake-damaged infrastructure please contact the Christchurch City Council Call Centre on 03 941 8999.
Noise
There may be increased noise, dust and vibrations during work but it shouldn’t impact on your power, water, gas or phone services.
Safety
Safety is our biggest priority so please keep children and pets away from worksites.
Bins
Please put your bins out as usual before 6am on your collection day. Our crew will move and return them if needed.
