Turning Point 2000 ends its work

Those dressed in period costume and onlookers enjoy the Victorian Garden Party, and (below) the waka is launched at Kerrs Reach and — both Turning Point 2000 events.

Some events held as part of the Millennium celebrations and Canterbury’s 150th anniversary may be repeated because of their success.

Turning Point 2000 organised nearly 30 major events and projects to celebrate and commemorate the year 2000 in Christchurch and Canterbury.

They ranged from the Multi-Sensory Facility for disabled children to be installed at Queen Elizabeth II Park, Whaka Raupo Cultural Garden on the Port Hills and Son et Lumiere presented in Cathedral Square.

Events such as the TILT Youth’Zone Festival and The Children’s Millennium Games were so successful that they may be held again.

On the initiative of Christchurch City Council, planning for year 2000 activities began in 1995 and 14 advisory groups were formed to develop events and projects in different areas of interest.

Nearly 300 community leaders and experts volunteered their time over four years.

Their initiatives resulted in Dawn 2000’s Sunrise Breakfast,Art 2000’s installation of Tapestry 2000 in the Christchurch Town Hall, Enjoying the Port Hills by Publications 2000 and Port Hills 2000, and much more.

Major activities to celebrate Canterbury’s anniversary focused on the weekend of 15-17 December.

In addition, more than 100 organisations hosted events and implemented projects with a 150th anniversary theme.

The Canterbury 150th anniversary events and projects are recorded in the free colour booklet Looking Back — Looking Forward, available from Council offices and libraries. The booklet is an ideal memento of this significant time in our history

The Neil Dawson-designed sculpture Chalice will be installed in Cathedral Square and Rural Canterbury: Celebrating its History will be published soon.

Some projects, for example the Sister Cities’ Gardens, Canterbury Highway 2000 and Sport 2000’s Archive Project, will continue to develop over the next few years.

The Turning Point 2000 Trust raised more than $4,000,000 in grants and sponsorship to fund specific events and projects.

"Turning Point 2000 is over," says the trust chairman Ian Leggat"But it leaves behind rich memories and tangible treasures

"It has shown what our city and our province can achieve when people share their talents and their strengths for a common purpose. This has been a wonderful example of the power of community participation and co-operation.