13 Dec 2013

Earthquake risk closes Nelson venue

3:57 pm on 13 December 2013

One of the main entertainment and sporting venues for the top of the South Island has been closed immediately due to earthquake risk.

Nelson's Trafalgar Centre is no longer open for public use from Friday after a report showed if it was in use during a moderate earthquake, the risk of loss of life would be high.

Mayor Rachel Reese says the report left the city council no choice but to shut the centre immediately and the future of the venue is uncertain.

Engineering and legal advisers passed on their reports to the council, who decided the risk wasn't worth taking.

"Both the engineering and legal advice was quite clear that the only appropriate option was for us to close that building for public use," Ms Reese says.

The mayor says other venues in Tasman and Marlborough are likely to be used for pre-booked events.

The council will now take the time to decide on possible earthquake strengthening works in the New Year, she says.