New terminal action

Press, 6 March 1978, Page 4

New terminal action

Another step towards construction of the proposed international passenger terminal at Christchurch Airport has been taken. The building’s architects, Pascoe, Linton, and Partners, have invited companies interested in tendering for the project to put their names forward. Mr W. Linton, a partner in the architectural firm, emphasised that Government authority had not yet been given for tenders to be called, however. Working drawings have been completed, and all that remains is a final estimate of cost. It is hoped that this will be ready within a fortnight. The building is only the first-stage in a two-part plan. When complete it will act as the arrival lounge and Customs hall for incoming in-

ternational flights. The existing overseas terminal, which shares the same building as the domestic terminal, will then be converted to serve only as the overseas departure lounge. Stage two will more than double the size of the new terminal. An extra floor will be built above stage one, and an additional wing extended 120 m to the north-east, parallel to the main runway. The floor plan of stage one would then be modified to form a public area only. Incoming passengers would be kept completely separate from departing passengers, away from this section. Those arriving at Christchurch would walk through covered gangways straight to the ground floor, while those departing would leave from the first floor.

| Thus when both stages are I complete, the ground floor will house the Customs hall and public area, and the first floor the departure lounge and various facilities such as duty-free shops. According to Mr Linton, stage two would be required within eight years. Meanwhile, it is hoped that Government approval will be given in time to begin on stage one in June this year. The work would take about 18 months, he said, and should not disrupt airport operations. Both stage one and stage two will occupy the site of an old hangar to the northeast of the existing terminal. It is expected that the Christchurch City Council will call for tenders for the demolition of the hangar fairly soon, j