February Update
Hall Repairs and Renovations
Earthquake repair work at badminton hall is now well under way and progressing well. The rimu floor has been completely removed, revealing interesting clues to the past, before the hall was built. Rather than packed dirt and earthquake liquefaction, deep creamy white loose sand fills the under floor area.
For anyone who knows a little Christchurch history, this may come as no surprise. Wainoni was known as the Sand Hills District as recently as the 1940’s. Barren apart from a few hardy native plants, this area of Christchurch was nothing but dunes and sandy flats at that time. Early photos of volunteers sweating wheelbarrow loads of concrete building the foundations of Badminton Hall confirm this!
Wainoni has certainly changed dramatically since those early days. Similarly, our hall is also undergoing its most significant transformation since it rose from the sand many years ago.
By the time you read this the concrete slab should have been poured, a major milestone on our way to the new DecoFlex flooring being installed and getting our hall back. While Naylor Love contractors toil inside the main hall, David Keast leads a small team renovating the amenities block and entrance area. Amongst other work, tiles are being laid on the floors, and the walls are getting a fresh coat of paint. When finished, the building is going to look fantastic.
Despite some early delays we are still hopeful all the work will be finished in April.
Impression of the New Badminton Hall Colour Scheme
Blue Courts, Grey Outer, English Badminton Blue Walls