Te Pae, our new Convention Centre, is finally open. As Chair of a nearby neighbourhood group I had an invitation to the official opening, but passed it on to someone else, so I haven’t yet been inside. Yesterday I was pleased to discover it’s now possible to walk across the Square side of Te Pae. This makes it easier to go between Turanga and Gloucester Street West, a route I often take on my way to the WEA or the Art Gallery.
I occasionally went to functions in the old Convention Centre, and don’t imagine I’ll have much reason to visit the new one, but I’ll be interested to see inside eventually. A public Open Day had been planned but was postponed due to Covid 19 restrictions. It’s good to have the Armagh Street side free of road blocks at last.
I just hope Te Pae doesn’t end up being a burden on ratepayers. It’s supposed to bring an economic boost to the city, but that’s not practical at present.
It’s good that we can now walk by
our new venue that’s named Te Pae
Ruth's Reflections 
I am still shocked that CCC allowed the government to “take” a block Gloucester Street for this huge building with no consultation with ratepayers . Now it is not possible to drive or look straight down Gloucester street… there is a huge building in the middle. I believe this building will be a white elephant as will the stadium..
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You could well be right. At least the ability to walk along Gloucester Street has been more or less restored.
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The handling of the rebuild in Christchurch has been documented in an excellent film where the local developers talk about being locked out of decision making. Now I see it, it is nothing that inspires me with joy.
Here in Wellington, 50,000 new people are expected in the next decade. The plan is to keep absorbing population growth in the inner city. Heritage Buildings are protected, and the airspace above used for apartments. I live in the old Hannah Shoe Factory where Ian Anthfield (sic) created earthquake proofed apartments in the late 90s. It took the Kaikoura quake well. He had the bricks and mortar reinforced over the existing code by 2/3.
As historians note, many of the heritage buildings in Christchurch were demolished, and the fight over the Anglican cathedral was exhausting. The Catholic cathedral sadly was not protected, and valiant parishioners were ignored. If we lived in Canada, laws would have protected heritage buildings.
When you consider all of the money that has gone into the new convention centre, it could have built homes for low income families, and a myriad of purposes that the consultation with the community uncovered.
It is a costly lesson- that central government took over- and over rode the local and regional structures, processes and voices. Many of us will watch with interest as to what happens next. Perhaps it will be surrounded by flowers and cones on Christchurch EQ Memorial Day on 22 February 2022.
Glad you can walk by now Ruth.
I’m glad that Ruth can wend her way
Across from Gloucester, to WEA!
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News this week that the population within the four avenues is now 8,080, finally exceeding the 8,000 pre-quake, but nowhere near the 20,000 planned for.
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Yes- the post quake population spread north west to Rangiora and southwest to Rolleston with June 2021 population estimates being 19, 250 and 24,700 respectively.
Your blog is great because these issues are very important. Glad you are a hub for the Avon Loop which suffered greatly. Nga mihi.
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Thanks, Horomaka.
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New and creative ways of using the space will be necessary if it is to get any use at all. At least, in such a cavernous building, social distancing will not be a problem.
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Except that they’ll want to pack people in to make a profit.
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