Christchurch Adventure Park prepares to re-open

With New Zealand moving into Alert Level 2 COVID-19 response, the Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP) is preparing for a third opening in its four and a half year history. The Park has been closed since the country entered Alert Level 3 on 23rd March.

CAP General Manager Anne Newman advised that under the Alert Level 2 guidelines outlined by New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, the Park will be able to open all of its facilities and activities as soon as New Zealand moves out of Alert Level 3, including the riding and walking trails, the zipline experience and café.

Newman enthused "we cannot wait to open the gates again, particularly with this being the second time we've been forced to close in three years for reasons outside of our control!

"We have had staff working on the trails during Alert Level 3, so riders are going to love experiencing the improvements to their favourite trails when they return to the Park.  In addition, there will be some new features for people to check out at the Park including a new walking trail in the trees that, once completed at the end of this month, will mean we have a full loop trail for walkers in the Park. 

"The café has been freshened up with a new winter menu ready to roll out as soon as it reopens, and the heated deck will be the perfect place to wind down after a walk, ride or zipline.

"We have something new for riders too.  Our own survey conducted during lockdown showed that many people have been using their bikes as a form of fitness, family time and wellness over the last couple of months. The Christchurch Adventure Park will be a great place for people to continue that activity, particularly with the addition of a new Beginners' Loop behind the café that is close to completion.

“This will provide the perfect stepping stone for newer riders or those who regularly ride at places like Bottle Lake Forest and McLeans Island. Customers will be able to test their skills on this new loop and gain some confidence before heading up the hill to do the Green Trail, making the riding trails at CAP more accessible than ever for riders of all abilities.

"We are also making changes to our opening hours to align with demand, by introducing two night rides over Winter on Wednesdays and Fridays so that people can still get out for some runs after work until 7pm and then enjoy a bite to eat or refreshment in the café afterwards. 

"Another change that we are making in the interests of being accessible for as wide an audience as possible, is allowing e-bikes on the chairlift for the first time.”

You can get a glimpse of the new features and improved trails at the Park this weekend when the existing walking trails will be opened between 8am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Walkers are reminded that they need to observe the physical distancing rules at all times, and those using the uphill trail will need to be prepared to also walk back down as the chairlift will not be operating.

Once the Park reopens in Alert Level 2, the opening hours over Winter will be 11am – 7pm Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am – 5pm Thursdays and 10am – 4pm at weekends. The Park will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. All necessary safety measures will be taken to ensure that customers can feel safe to make the most of the Park, such as physical distancing in the café, on trails and while using the chairlift, and thorough cleaning of all facilities and equipment including a cleaning down of the chairlift bar after every rotation.

Newman added "customers will be able to feel assured that we are doing everything we can to protect their physical health at this time, while they use the natural surrounds and active wellness opportunities here at the Park to look after their mental health.

"The Park is looking better than ever right now and the trails are in mint condition, so we can't wait to get our customers back in here and see the place buzzing with activity again."

Port Hills Fire hearing

A nine-week hearing has been set for the 2017 Port Hills fire case against Orion and Christchurch Adventure Park

A group of 80 claimants who suffered property damage from the fires want $10 million, alleging negligence by lines company Orion and the Christchurch Adventure Park.

A nine-week hearing starting on 3rd August 2020, is scheduled in the High Court at Christchurch.

Justice David Gendall is expected to preside over the case, though this may change.

The fires started on Early Valley Rd, in Landsdowne, and on Summit Rd February 2017.

The flames burned through 1600 hectares, causing about $20 million in losses including homes and vehicles.

The statement of claim contends the Christchurch Adventure Park was asked to stop its chairlift as the fires burned below it, but it did not. Some chairs caught fire on 15th February spreading the fire further down the hill, where it spread to properties on Summit Rd.

The statement of claim against Orion said the start of the Early Valley Rd fire could be traced back to a fuse on a pole owned by the power company on the southern boundary of the road.