Wakatu Quay's historic wharf is approaching a significant milestone, with the first building of its major redevelopment due for completion this week and the site set to open to the community next month.
The wharf precinct has been closed throughout the year as construction progressed, but Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty confirmed the finishing line is now in sight. Landscaping work will continue after the building opens, with some planting expected to wait until spring next year.
"There is still ongoing landscaping work, and we will probably wait until the spring (next year) for some of the planting," Mr Doughty said. "But it's exciting to see the first building coming together."
The council is in discussions with a number of potential tenants, with the vision of establishing a restaurant or hospitality type business in the new space. Mayor Craig Mackle took a relaxed view on finding the right occupant.
"We are in no hurry," he said. "We've always had the view of 'build and they will come', so we are under no pressure."
The council hopes this will be the first of several new buildings on the site. The project is backed by a $10.18m grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with the council taking the lead and using loan funding to cover any shortfall. The grant was awarded by the Government in 2019 to support redevelopment of an area that sustained damage in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake of 2016.
The tender for the first building was awarded in September to local company LMC Building and Construction Ltd. Company manager Luke Chambers, who grew up in Kaikōura and spent many hours fishing off the Wakatu Quay wharf, said the build is due to be completed this week, with site handover set for 31 October.
"It's always been a popular place to be and on a nice day it's pretty hard to beat," Mr Chambers said. "It's been a fantastic project to be involved with and to be able to give a new lease on a pretty magic location is pretty special."
Mr Chambers said the project has provided employment to locals, and he brought in local contractors wherever possible, reflecting a priority the council had made clear from the outset.
"There was a large emphasis on that from the council to use locals, so it has been good to able to deliver on that," he said. "It has been an interesting project with a unique design and location, surrounded by ocean. It's not everyday you come across something like that."
The completed precinct will have what Mr Chambers described as "a pedestrian feel to it", with vehicle access restricted and prominent street lighting installed. The lighting has already been tested and meets the council's new dark sky lighting rules.
"It will be a nice place to come to at night. It's very low key, but it creates a nice atmosphere," he said.
The building has been designed to reflect whatever light is available, allowing it to sit comfortably alongside sunrises and sunsets and blend naturally into the surroundings on overcast days.
