Project to replace unsafe Soundshell seating starts

Investigation and planning for the replacement of the Caroline Bay Soundshell seating is underway, almost three years after it was revealed the area would be unsafe within five years.

The project to replace the 64-year-old seating area, which accommodates about 1800 people, flagged in the Timaru District Council’s 2018-28 long term plan, is expected to cost more than $1.8 million and will replace nearly all the seats.

The seating was completed in 1957 but issues have been noted with the condition of the concrete following a structural assessment, and reinforcing under the structure is now exposed to the elements.

In February 2018, the council received a report saying the seats would be unsafe within five years.

Some seating has been fenced off since December 2019, when the bleachers were identified as being ‘‘near the end of their life’’.

A council spokesman said investigation and planning is being completed, and a firmer timeline for the commencement and completion of physical works will be available soon.

The timeline will be confirmed soon as ‘‘part of the planning process that is currently underway’’, he said.

‘‘The project relates to the replacement of all seating.

‘‘Details of the design will emerge from this process, but it is likely that it will look similar to what’s currently there, with similar seating capacity,’’ he said.

‘‘We know the importance events at the Soundshell have for the community and local economy, so one of the main hurdles is ensuring that as much as possible the work takes place outside of periods of high use.’’

The spokesman said the bleachers, ‘‘like any structure of this type that’s exposed to the elements’’, has a limited lifespan.

‘‘We’ve commenced a project to provide a long-term replacement,’’ he said.

‘‘There are allied works such as improving drainage around the pathways above the bleachers.’’

Caroline Bay Association president Allen Martin said he was excited to see what the architects come up with for the seating.

‘‘The end design phase hasn’t happened yet but I’m excited to see what the architects come up with,’’ Martin said.

‘‘Anything they create will be in the best interests of the Soundshell, creating a more modern facility and hopefully inspiring more use.’’

BEJON HASWELL/STUFF The 64-year-old concrete stadium seating at the Soundshell on Caroline Bay has been deemed in need of replacing, including a section pictured which has been fenced off since December 2019.