Convention Centre to be demolished from next week

5:30 pm on 13 January 2012

Demolition work will begin on the earthquake-damaged Christchurch Convention Centre next week.

Residents are warned to expect street closures around the central business district red zone from Monday.

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority general manager of operations says demolition work is expected to take 15 weeks and the street closures are necessary because the building is significantly damaged.

Warrick Issacs says the building is not even safe to enter.

Colombo Street and Durham Street North will be closed and one lane of Peterborough Street will also be closed on the opposite side of the building.

Part of Kilmore Street will be open, with motorists able to use one lane heading in a westerly direction via a right turn from Durham Street North or Victoria Street.