Suiting the surroundings and the times

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 17

Suiting the surroundings and the times

. The Gainsborough Motor Lodge has had several changes while it has developed as a major accommodation centre and dining-out attraction for Christchurch; but seldom one as important as the latest, which has completely altered the site’s original building. ■ Until a month or two ago the building facing Bealey Avenue and housing the main restaurant, house bar, reception area and offices was a twostorey structure. The new owners — they took over last October — are Mr John Staines, a Canterbury representative rugby player of the 19505, and his wife, who formed a company for the purchase. They saw a need to

change the appearance of the old building and, with the professional help of Dennis Neill and Associates, came up with a plan to make it a' single-storey modern building blending in with the other lodge buildings. Mr Staines sets out the aims that led to the “decapitation” and reconstruction as: 1. To improve the visual concept of the motor inn at first sight. 2. To give the complex a cleaner and more uniform appearance. 3. To enable the buildings at the rear to be seen from the avenue. 4. To capture more offroad customers. Now that the alterations are virtually complete there can be no doubt in a

traveller’s .mind which buildings house the accommodation — those at the rear of the 0.6 hectare block on the corner of Bealey Avenue and Packe Street, where , there are 52 fully-serviced motel units. When the Staines took over there were two dining-rooms. Each had its own kitchen and there was a doubling up of equipment and utensils although some were only needed occasionally. Surplus equipment has been sold and the second di-ning-room and kitchen in one of the rear buildings closed. The space has been converted to a conference venue, which can take up to 300 persons in comfort, but which can also be used for smaller conferences or trade displays by screening areas to suit the numbers present. ■ The main dining-room, with its rich red furnishings and glittering chandeliers giving a touch of opulence, has became well known to Christchurch diners, and the new owners are determined that its good reputation will be maintained. The accommodation side of the business has been steady, with parties of tourists, both overseas and New Zealanders, providing a big share. Mr Staines estimates that at present, which is part of the “tour season,” 49 per cent of the guests are tour parties and that for a full year tours would account for about 35 per cent of the business. The Gainsborough has had an increase in another field — as the venue for wedding receptions and parties. In June it will parties. In June wit will be the scene of a complete wedding ceremony — service and reception — for the first time. While the alterations have been proceeding for the last two months it has been “business as usual” on the ground and only remaining floor of the building. There must be few demolition workers, builders and other tradesmen who have worked so carefully and quietly on a construction job. In its time the old twostorey building was a ma-

ternity nursing home, a hostel for staff of a hotelowning company, a private hotel and then the first building of the Gainsborough Motor Lodge complex.