Southern Trust Events Center designated as earthquake prone

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The Southern Trust Events Center has been designated earthquake prone, but the council says that status will be resolved as part of upcoming redevelopment work.

On Monday, the Timaru District Council confirmed a recent comprehensive engineering report showed the Timaru building’s overall building rating is below 34 per cent, meaning it has been designated as earthquake prone.

The overall score for the building is based on the lowest score of any part of the structure, it says.

While the gym, lounge and hockey clubrooms are below 34 per cent of the Importance Level (IL3) standard, the main courts, entry foyer and front offices are all ”well above this”.

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Timaru District Council acting group manager community services Erik Barnes said the building’s earthquake prone status does not mean it is dangerous to occupy or use.

“We take the safety of those using our facilities extremely seriously,” Barnes said.

“Following this detailed assessment we’re confident that the community can continue to safely use this popular sports facility until the upgrade work commences.”

“Earthquake prone doesn’t mean a building is unsafe to use on a day-to-day basis, it just means that it wouldn’t perform as well as a brand-new building would during a significant earthquake.

Bejon Haswell/Stuff

The Southern Trust Events Center in Timaru. (File photo)

“Under the earthquake prone building provisions in the Building Act the council has 25 years to resolve these issues, but they will all be resolved much sooner as part of the Aorangi Park redevelopment project.”

The building will remain open and available for sporting, events and tenants use as normal, he said.

“The majority of users won’t see any changes, but there will be some restrictions on what type of event can be hosted in the lounge area.”

As part of the recent Long Term Plan, the council made the decision to undertake the development of Aorangi Park and the stadium between 2023 and 2025.

The building work will begin in 2023/2024.

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