QE II and Centennial severely damaged
Last updated 15:08 27/03/2012

Stacy Squres
SHAKEN: QEII suffered widespread liquefaction and building damage.

New engineering reports on the Queen Elizabeth II Park and Centennial facilities show they are so severely damaged they cannot be rebuilt to the standards of a new facility.

The Christchurch City Council today released the engineering reports but said it could not yet make a decision on the future of the two key sporting facilities.

Both have been closed since the February 2011 earthquake.

The reports say the land and buildings at QE II Park were extensively damaged in the quake, have suffered more damage from aftershocks and cannot be repaired "to a similar level to a newly built facility".

The entire QE II facility has moved 250 millimetres sideways and dropped up to 300mm.

The buildings and pools have extensive structural damage. There is also severe damage to the main track and field area, and engineers say it is unusable.

Engineers found that both pools at the red-zoned Centennial Recreation and Sport Centre had been severely damaged.

The concrete slabs inside and surrounding the pools were significantly cracked. Engineers concluded the pools could not be repaired "to a similar level as a newly built facility".

The land had settled up to 50mm along one side of the centre, while land surrounding the building is "moderately damaged".

Council community services general manager Michael Aitken said the engineering assessments "have been a huge undertaking" and discussions with insurers had been protracted.

"However, we are nearing the point where we will be able to present our councillors, and the community, with some options for a way forward," he said.

Options for both facilities would be considered next month as part of the council's annual-plan process, along with other major council facilities.

The council has released the engineering reports but stripped them of details that it said could compromise its position with insurers, "including the potential cost of repairs".

To see the engineering reports, visit the council's website here. Engineering reports for the council's other facilities will be posted on the council website as they become available.
 
- © Fairfax NZ News

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Shaken QEII suffered widespread liquefaction and building damage.

That's sad, I can see my seat I was in for the Filbert Bayi vs John Walker 1500m where FB won in the 1974 Commonwealth Games - beside the access port on the curve leading to final straight.  A great venue and pool put together economically for the times.  Seems like it will not be usable and will be dismantled?  Perhaps the field is reclaimable and the grandstand, but the pools will be written off.

From what i understand a new pool may be built om moorhouse Ave. Cost $200mil
A new track at Keyes Rd or out in Rolleston.
Keyes RD is more likely as money has been spent on this site already.This site is the home of the New Brighton Athletic club.Rawhiti Domain.

Keyes Road is an awful long way out isn't it for most people? I thought Rolleston would have been better - Main highway most of it.
The Moorhouse Avenue would be handy for most for the pool though - but then again they would have to consider the parking too.

Yes see your point Mark - even Rolleston is putting in a huge pool in but don't know if it is a competitive one or not - costing heaps though as on our rates.
Those quakes have sure done a lot of damage - things you don't stop to think about really - and things you do think about a lot too.