NEWS RELEASE
30 August 2012
Strengthened Picnic Café reopens
It’s the first day of spring this Saturday 1 September and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate at the Picnic Café
in the Botanic Garden’s Begonia House.
The café will reopen – also in time for Fathers' Day on Sunday - after being closed for three weeks for earthquake
strengthening work.
The work on the Begonia House was scheduled as part of the City Council’s earthquake resilience programme.
The Council’s Project Manager, Bruce Moorman, says the Picnic Café has been a priority for his team.
“We know it’s a popular place for Botanic Garden visitors to eat, drink, relax and take in the surroundings. We worked
fast and efficiently and strengthening work was completed ahead of schedule. This allowed us to do some extras,
including painting all the steel work in the café.”
Strengthening work is continuing on the rest of Begonia House with the aim for it to be fully reopened in time for the
visitor peak in summer.
This Saturday also marks the fifth anniversary of the café opening in 2007 and the 40th birthday of café owner Paul
Lester.
“It certainly is a nice coincidence and gives me double the reason to celebrate,” says Mr Lester.
“This Sunday is also Fathers' Day, so if you’re looking for something to do, take dad for a walk through the Botanic
Garden finished off with a special lunch at the Picnic Café.”
ENDS