>
The $20.2 million Hawke’s Bay Airport terminal expansion is back up and running and remains on schedule thanks to a local construction team approach.
The main construction contractors Arrow International went into voluntary administration in late February, which forced a temporary hold on the project.
Hawke’s Bay Airport chief executive Stuart Ainslie today announced that the Airport Company has established a wholly-owned subsidiary to lead the project, and secured the key construction project management team, along with the many Hawke’s Bay sub-contractor businesses.
“It’s a great outcome. Up until three weeks ago the project had been going incredibly well and that’s due to the leadership of those running the project and the many local businesses that are sub-contractors.
“By working quickly, we have been able to retain the project’s intellectual property through the key personnel and also create a framework to ensure sub-contractors get paid and the project continues.
“We’re particularly excited that it’s a real local approach, and that the terminal will be built by the people of Hawke’s Bay for the people of Hawke’s Bay.”
Mr Ainslie said that although several options were explored on how to continue the $20.2 million expansion project, the Airport Limited Board strongly supported the formation of a subsidiary to manage construction through to completion, which is set for mid 2020.
Chairman Tony Porter commented that “the board considered the risks and benefits of a variety of different approaches, but ultimately agreed that setting up a subsidiary company to deliver the project was the best solution, especially given Stuart’s experience in overseeing projects of this nature.”
A hive of activity is now expected on stage two, which is the construction of the check in area due to open later this year. The final stage, the centralised hospitality and commercial hub completes the 4340m2 redevelopment.
Mr Ainslie said as the site is both a construction zone and an active operating terminal safety is a high priority and they would be relaunching safety measures as soon as the site is up and running.