23 December 2013

Interim work at CTV site to be complete for February anniversary

Work will get underway next month at the former CTV Building site to provide a more welcoming environment for remembrance of those who lost their lives there.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority has produced an interim plan for the site and shared it with families it has contact details for that lost loved ones when the CTV Building collapsed in the February 2011 earthquake.

The plan includes grassing of some of the site, removal of the current high fencing to be replaced with a low post and chain fence, planter boxes on the perimeter and a sign that recognises the site’s significance. The work will be complete in time for the quake commemoration on February 22 next year.

City Care will donate its time and machinery, and will work with CERA to complete the work, ahead of any longer term plans for the Crown-owned site.

"In the longer term, we have committed to ensuring this special site remains a place in the new East Frame that people can visit and reflect on what occurred there," says CERA chief executive Roger Sutton.

"However the message to us has been clear that the site needs to be made more welcoming and accessible in the interim for people to come and pay their respects, and we are responding to that. Part of the site will remain as it is for now to provide a connection to what was once there for people."

Mr Sutton says the issue of an Earthquake Memorial for all of the victims of the earthquake is being treated separately to the work at the CTV site.

"We have engaged people with expertise to help in the planning of the Earthquake Memorial, and families of the earthquake victims will be consulted as we go along."

"We are currently working through details such as the location for the Memorial and we will be able to provide more information in the new year."

ENDS

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