Start Work Notice – Site Preparation for Takurua on Kirkwood Fields

Facilities Management advise that site works for the construction of UC’s new student facility, Takurua,  will start on Kirkwood Fields this Friday 11 July, and that from that point forward Kirkwood Fields will be out of bounds to all UC Staff, Students, and Visitors. This means that all previous access and activities are prohibited except for authorised construction and project staff.

Featuring two indoor courts, dedicated fitness areas (main gym, women’s gym, spin studio), multi-purpose rooms for group fitness and arts, six counselling rooms for UC Health, three treatment rooms, a floodlit outdoor pitch, and social spaces for students, Construction of Takurua will commence on 14 July 2025 and is expected to take approximately two years.

Key Site works Information:

The following traffic management plan (TMP) and site hoarding timeframes will take effect this Friday 11 July with the installation of the site hoarding and will impact on the car park adjacent to the current UC Rec Centre, car parking and access on Kirkwood Ave, and access to Kirkwood Fields.

Important:  Once site hoarding commences the following key restrictions will apply and be strictly monitored:

  • Access to Kirkwood Field will be out of bounds to all staff, students, and visitors. This will become a construction site and under the authority of Apollo Projects. No unauthorised personnel will be allowed on site for any reason.
  • All access for UC staff and student soil testing and other UC activities will be strictly prohibited after Friday 11 July.
  • There will be a loss of a total of several car parking spaces from the existing useable rec and sport centre car park (refer to inset plan) during hoarding construction.
  • There will be a loss of carparks on Kirkwood Ave and changes to the footpath access (refer to inset and attached TMP maps).
  • There will be an increase in construction traffic and heavy vehicles in Kirkwood Ave.

Site Safety – Please Observe the Following Requirements:

  • Do not enter the designated construction zones.
  • Comply with all posted signage and instructions issued by site personnel.
  • Stay alert for vehicle and truck movements in and around the site.
  • Be aware of construction workers operating nearby.
  • Do not cross temporary fencing, cones, or taped-off areas under any circumstances.
  • Follow all traffic management and parking signage.

More information on the construction of UC’s new Recreation Centre Takura at Kirkwood Fields and be found here  Takurua – new student facility | University of Canterbury

Please refer all enquires to fmassist@canterbury.ac.nz

Beatrice Tinsley Works (9-11 July) now Deferred

Facilities Management advise that the Beatrice Tinsley dry riser works previously notified for 9-11 August have been deferred until further notice.

Please direct any enquiries to fmassist@canterbury.ac.nz

Facilities Management

Karl Popper (AR03) Fire Alarm Testing Tomorrow 9 July

The fire alarms in the Karl Popper Building (AR03) are being tested between 8am and 9am tomorrow Wednesday 9 July, and we are letting you know because the fire alarms are expected to sound continuously during this time.

This testing is part of code of compliance requirements (CoC), following the refurbishment of floors 1-4 of Karl Popper. The alarms will sound across all four renovated levels to enable the inspector to verify compliance (that they work appropriately) across all relevant areas.

Do I need to do anything if I hear the alarm going continuously?

  • No – Don’t panic! – Emergency services are aware that the testing is taking place and why.
  • The building occupants on levels 5 and 6 and have been advised that they may wish to remain off-site, or elsewhere on site, until 9:00 a.m. to minimise their disruption.
  • Fire Emergency New Zealand have been notified of the scheduled testing.