Historic hospital building coming down

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Historic hospital building coming down
Too quake-damaged to repair
GEORGINA STYLIANOU Last updated 14:39 02/04/2012

IAIN McGREGOR/Fairfax NZ

The category 2 heritage building at St George's Hospital in Papanui suffered major structural damage in the February 2011 earthquake.

The building, which opened in 1928, housed the hospital's maternity wing as well as meeting rooms and the main reception area.

The hospital was not able to provide maternity services for almost a year after the quake, but maternity beds became available again in January.

Hospital chief executive Tony Hunter said every effort was made to retain the building, but it was not "economically viable".

Plans were under way for another building on the 1300-square-metre site, he said.

Copied from The Press
Photo below
GOING, GOING: Paul Arthur watches the demolition of the category 2 heritage building at St George's Hospital.

HEAVY WORK: A digger uses its pincer claws to tear at the St George's Hospital building.

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