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21 March 2002 |
Council to reconsider Millennium Bridge
Christchurch City Council will reconsider its commitment to the Millennium Bridge project, and is not likely to proceed with it.
The proposed artwork bridge was initiated as a millennium year project by the now disbanded organisation, Turning Point 2000. It was to be built to a design by Andrew Drummond in the Botanic Gardens, spanning the Avon River.
The project received the Council’s endorsement in September 2001. However, a report to come before the Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee will point out a major funding problem for the project.
Committee Chairperson, Councillor Anna Crighton, has indicated that the artist’s estimated cost of $293,000 has been exceeded in the final quotation by $170,000 - a 54% increase - and now stands at $463,000.
“This is an increase that simply can’t be accommodated in a tight budget situation and reluctantly I will be recommending that Council not proceed with the project,” says Councillor Crighton.
“The bridge design was excellent and would have been a valuable addition to the public artworks of the city, but having set the budget, Council simply can’t accommodate increases of this size. I am hopeful that available funds can be reallocated to another, less ambitious artworks project and still achieve something good for the city,” she says.
For more information:Contact Anna Crighton, Telephone: 366-2557, Business: 365-0915