Progress on Christchurch and Burwood hospitals’ redevelopment

Progress on the Christchurch and Burwood hospitals’ redevelopment is full steam ahead – with the first major concrete pour down for Burwood’s new Back of House Building and enabling works for Christchurch set to start in September.

David Meates, Canterbury District Health Board chief executive, says redevelopment work has been all hands to the pump with a total of 700 m3 of concrete poured for the foundations of the new Back of House building in the centre of the Burwood hospital campus.

“This building is designed to house the kitchens; cleaners’ offices; bike stands; staff amenities such as showers and toilets; the supply and distribution centre; mail room and courier collection/drop off; clean and dirty loading bays; IT services; and plant rooms to support the rest of the new build,” Mr Meates says.

The structural design of the new building requires a raft foundation of concrete and steel to allow the load to be spread over a large area.

“The raft also reduces the effect of lateral spreading in the event of an earthquake. Contractors Leighs Cockram JV have had to weave together the reinforcing steel for the first concrete pour, a labour intensive and time consuming process.”

Mr Meates says the volume of building and reinforcing materials is huge.

“By the time Burwood’s three ward blocks and Back of House building are complete, contractors will have worked with more than 1800 tonnes of structural steel, 229 pre-cast concrete columns and approximately 15,000m3 of concrete,” he says.

“Aside from a reinforced concrete raft-type foundation, it has precast columns and steel roof trusses. The building’s importance means that it will be built to IL 3, making it 30 percent stronger than standard buildings.”

*The picture shows the large scale of the building.

Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment

Two community briefings held last week provided further details on the development of an Acute Services Building at Christchurch Hospital.

At the meetings Mr Meates talked about the makeup of the building and the important role it will play in meeting the projected needs of Canterbury’s growing and ageing population.

“By 2018, this new facility will be vital,” Mr Meates says.

“And to meet this deadline, enabling works for the project are planned to start in September this year.”

Mr Meates says the Burwood and Christchurch hospitals’ redevelopment is also essential in ensuring the recovery of Canterbury health facilities, following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Further updates will be provided for the public as work continues at both hospitals.

ENDS

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