40 | Amalgamated Builders Christchurch: Coastguard Canterbury T T Bernadette Cooney A new home for Coastguard Canterbury The new facility replaces the previous building that was damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. New headquarters for Coastguard Canterbury were officially opened in March, marking the first flagship construction project completed within Lyttleton’s Naval Point Redevelopment, and the end of five years’ living in temporary portacom accommodation for Coastguard volunteers. Coastguard is a charity run by volunteers, and has a long history of on-water assistance for the community and recreational boat users in Canterbury. Their new, $2.6 million facility replaces the previous building that was damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. Main contractor for this design-and-build project was leading South Island commercial construction company, Amalgamated Builders Ltd (ABL). Founded in 1961 in Invercargill, and operating as Amalgamated Builders for the past 53 years, the company has grown into an award-winning firm delivering high-quality commercial construction and management services. ABL general manager for Christchurch, Gareth Wilmshurst, says the new Coastguard Rescue Centre has been a great project to work on, one that ensures the continuation of a service that’s been helping keep Cantabrians safe on the water for more than 50 years. “It’s been a fairly straightforward build. It’s been really special to be involved with a charity such as Coastguard, an organisation that supports boaties and all water users 24/7 – they add so much value to the broader community,” says Gareth. Located near the sports ground end of Naval Point, in a prime location overlooking Lyttleton harbour, the new Coastguard Canterbury headquarters includes two large boat sheds for their rescue vessels, and a dedicated radio room for monitoring and response capabilities. “A cornerstone project for Naval Point redevelopment, the Coastguard HQ is 665sqm across two levels, with large boat storage at the base and an observation deck off the second level, with clear outlook across the harbour.” With its structural-steel frame, the boat-storage room was built to maritime specifications and consists of approximately 480 sheets of BBI plywood covering the walls and ceiling, with approximately 340sqm of floor area. The ground level accommodates the radio room and a training room with special areas for wet gear and equipment, designed for both Coastguard and community use, plus a galley area for the crew’s needs. Working with ABL on the project were local architects Co-Studios and structural engineers, Quoin. Funding for the project came from a combination of Coastguard New Zealand, Christchurch City Council, Te Hapu o Ngāti Wheke Rapaki, community funders, and public and business donations, with an additional $1,657,815 contribution from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust. The Coastguard Canterbury building’s grand opening in March welcomed the Governor-General and other dignitaries, honouring the dedication of Coastguard search and rescue volunteers, acknowledging their vital role and emphasising their lifesaving efforts and contribution to the community. “We believe in building structures that serve a purpose and create long-lasting value for the communities we work in. The Coastguard project is a perfect example of this,” says Gareth. Amalgamated Builders Ltd provides the full range of construction services for large-scale and complex industrial, commercial and multi-residential projects throughout the South Island. ABL is also one of the three founding members of the New Zealand Construction Alliance (NZCA), a network of professional construction experts undertaking projects throughout New Zealand. ABL excels in project feasibility and construction management, early contractor engagement, and concrete and fit-out subcontract services for diverse projects of every scale. CONSTRUCTION • DESIGN & BUILD • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • SUPPLY CHAIN 03 341 2170 | Unit 2, 21 Birmingham Drive www.abl.co.nz | christchurch@abl.co.nz Pulling all of the above together to personalise to the clients needs. Commercial and residential work info@integrate.nz | www.integrate.nz | 0800 901 001 • Building automation • Audio Visual Solutions • Information Technology • Communications • Electrical and lighting design REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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