Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 10, 2008 21:51:45 GMT 12
Rocky start for air terminal
The Dominion Post | Thursday, 10 July 2008
Construction of Wellington's new international airport building has got off to a rocky start, hitting its first delay.
Wellington International Airport planned to start construction of its new international terminal, named The Rock, in May, but technical problems during preparatory groundwork have forced a two-month delay.
Company spokeswoman Louise Murray said it had taken longer than expected to move a fuel hydrant main before construction could start.
"It is a minor delay in terms of the construction of the entire project . . . Construction of the terminal is now due to start around the end of July."
"Some technical issues" involved in moving the fuel hydrant main were responsible, she said.
The design of the building, which has been likened to a pair of pumpkins, sparked widespread criticism when it was unveiled by the company's new chief executive, Steven Fitzgerald, in March, but he defended it, saying it encapsulated the capital city's individuality and creativity.
The company announced at the unveiling that the entire $53 million international terminal expansion and renovation programme, including construction of The Rock, would be completed by late next year, but Ms Murray said the completion date was now May 2010.
The $39 million copper-plated twin- dome buildings will house departure gates and a cafe and enable the international terminal to double the number of passengers it can handle to 1000 an hour.
It is understood that the design was driven by Mr Fitzgerald's boss, Infratil head Lloyd Morrison, whose company is two-thirds owner of the airport. Wellington City Council owns the rest.
www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4613582a6000.html
The Dominion Post | Thursday, 10 July 2008
Construction of Wellington's new international airport building has got off to a rocky start, hitting its first delay.
Wellington International Airport planned to start construction of its new international terminal, named The Rock, in May, but technical problems during preparatory groundwork have forced a two-month delay.
Company spokeswoman Louise Murray said it had taken longer than expected to move a fuel hydrant main before construction could start.
"It is a minor delay in terms of the construction of the entire project . . . Construction of the terminal is now due to start around the end of July."
"Some technical issues" involved in moving the fuel hydrant main were responsible, she said.
The design of the building, which has been likened to a pair of pumpkins, sparked widespread criticism when it was unveiled by the company's new chief executive, Steven Fitzgerald, in March, but he defended it, saying it encapsulated the capital city's individuality and creativity.
The company announced at the unveiling that the entire $53 million international terminal expansion and renovation programme, including construction of The Rock, would be completed by late next year, but Ms Murray said the completion date was now May 2010.
The $39 million copper-plated twin- dome buildings will house departure gates and a cafe and enable the international terminal to double the number of passengers it can handle to 1000 an hour.
It is understood that the design was driven by Mr Fitzgerald's boss, Infratil head Lloyd Morrison, whose company is two-thirds owner of the airport. Wellington City Council owns the rest.
www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4613582a6000.html
