Repairs already for courts building
It was late, way over budget and now it already needs fixing.
Repairs on the atrium of the courts building in the $300 million Justice and Emergency Services Precinct in Christchurch began last week.
Justice Ministry general manager of commercial and property, Fraser Gibbs, said cracks in the bluestone tiles on the floor of the atrium were discovered soon after the precinct opened in June/July last year. ‘‘Following extensive investigation and independent review, the decision was made to uplift and replace the entire atrium floor with an enhanced installation method that allows for the seismic movement designed into the building,’’ he said.
The precinct’s builder, Fletcher Construction, would carry out the 10 week job at its own cost, he said.
Measures had been taken to reduce the impact on customers, staff, the judiciary and other court users.
Removing tiles and floor preparation would only be done between 5pm and 6am and normal services would continue during the repairs.
The repairs are the latest chapter in a trouble-plagued project described as the most complicated building in New Zealand. The delivery of the building was several months late and cost Fletcher $100m more than it budgeted. The under-pricing, which also occurred with Fletcher’s build of SkyCity’s $700m International Convention Centre in Auckland, contributed to a loss for the Fletcher Group in the 2018 financial year of $190m.
The precinct accommodates the courts, the Ministry of Justice, Department of Corrections and emergency services.
A sewage leak from toilets in the floor about closed the Ma¯ ori Land Court in February.