Orion gifts smart city bridge lighting as centenary gift 24 June 2003 Two beautiful historic bridges in central Christchurch will be lit with new, energy efficient lighting thanks to a centenary gift from Orion New Zealand. In early July, Orion celebrates 100 years of electricity supply in Christchurch and it is marking the occasion with a gift to each of its three shareholding councils, Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council and Banks Peninsula District Council. The Victoria Square bridge near the Christchurch Town Hall and the Armagh St bridge are the two bridges which will be lit. They will form part of a larger City Council-funded project to create a 'ribbon of light' through Christchurch, focussed on the Avon River. Orion chief executive Roger Sutton says lighting the bridges is a fitting way for Orion to mark its centenary. "Over the century, improvements in street lighting have been one of the great visible benefits electricity has brought to the city. While better lighting has made the streets safer, the City Council has also always invested in amenity lighting so the city's features are highlighted after dark." The 'ribbon of light' project has been driven by David Bolam-Smith, who has worked over many years with the City Council to obtain funding to light eight central city Avon River bridges. "This gift from Orion is a huge boost to the project because it brings forward our ability to light two bridges," Mr Bolam-Smith says. "Over the longer term other riverside features such as the river wall, band rotunda and heritage buildings will also be lit. "What we are creating is the Southern Hemisphere version of Paris or Venice by night. Until you see these bridges and buildings lit up you just can't appreciate how beautiful Christchurch will be by night." The lighting technology being used has been specially imported and is the latest energy efficient technology. The lighting design and installation is being done by Connetics and co-ordinated by the City Council's street lighting team. The lights will be ready to be turned on in October and a special 'lighting up' ceremony is anticipated. Orion's gifts to its shareholding councils have been decided in consultation with the relevant councils. Orion's gift to Selwyn District Council sets up a scholarship fund which each year will assist a number of those leaving secondary school with the costs of tertiary education. In Banks Peninsula District Council, the original electricity generating plant will be reinstalled in what is now the Akaroa Gallery. Once installed, it will provide an added attraction for visitors. In addition, the renovations required will provide additional gallery space. For more information: Roger Sutton
Orion Chief Executive Officer
Phone 03 363 9789 David Bolam-Smith
Mobile 027 434 0847 Brendan Smyth
Urban Designer Architecture
Christchurch City Council
Phone 03 941 8934
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