CTV site reopens as memorial space

Families who lost loved ones in the CTV building collapse hope everyone will feel they can come and share the new memorial space on the site.

The seven-storey CTV building collapsed in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, killing 115 people. It was responsible for nearly two-thirds of the 185 deaths in the quake. No-one has been held accountable for the building’s failure.

The site, on the corner of Madras and Cashel streets, reopened to the public on the eve of the quake’s seventh anniversary, following a blessing attended by about 100 people.

The site has been converted into a peaceful place to sit and reflect, in line with the wishes of the families who lost loved ones.

It has been planted with cherry trees, and a mixture of native and introduced plants. A stone plinth holds a running water feature, which runs into garden beds. The building’s foundation has been left exposed in some places.

Where the northwest corner of the building used to stand, a plinth with words of remembrance has been included, where family members left flowers on Wednesday night.

Karen Selway lost her sister, Susan Selway, in the collapse. She said she hoped people would feel they could come and share the space.

‘‘I just think it’s fantastic that we’ve got this site now as a facility for the community, for all of us. It’s for everyone to come and share.’’

Maan Alkaisi, whose wife Maysoon Abbas died in the collapse, said families were still fight- ing for justice and it was not fair that there was no resolution after seven years.

He said the finished memorial space captured the ideas the family asked for in the design.

‘‘We asked for a beautiful place to reflect that we lost beautiful people here, to reflect that they still add value and beauty to the city.’’

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the site was a place for memories and not rebuilding.

‘‘The only rebuilding that happens here is rebuilding our lives in honour of those who died.’’