Wagner Nicky: Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeWagner Nicky: Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2014. Volume:699;Page:18895. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon NICKY WAGNER (National—Christchurch Central):As we have heard this afternoon in the House the Arts Centre is a much-beloved part of Christchurch. We all have our family stories of how we have enjoyed it. I remember most of all taking my little sons down to the Arts Centre most weekends to go to the food carts because we lived only a couple of blocks away from it. I also used to make a regular trip every Christmas to do my Christmas shopping there. The Arts Centre was also a place that we liked to take visitors who came to Christchurch to see. We took them there so they could enjoy the magnificent heritage buildings reflect on the history of Christchurch enjoy the arts perhaps shop for local crafts in the stores and markets and really enjoy the public space the entertainment and the performances that were there.When the 2010 earthquake hit Christchurch the Arts Centre was damaged. Fortunately there was some work done on the Arts Centre including securing one of the turrets that is on Rolleston Avenue before the 2011 earthquakes which did further damage. I think we were particularly fortunate to have nobody injured in those earthquakes because a lot of people spent a lot of time in the Arts Centre. Immediately after the 2011 earthquake the site had to be closed because of unsafe buildings. As we have heard the rebuilding is under way. It is a huge restoration project and it is going very well. I was delighted to see the new Registry Building opened. It has been beautifully restored it is fully tenanted and it looks fantastic. The next thing we are looking forward to is the opening of the gymnasium which will be the home of the Free Theatre and the Arts Circus project. Lots of people are looking forward to that and to coming back into the city to go to their performances.The vision of the future of the Arts Centre is important to Christchurch. It is a vision of a hub for creative entrepreneurs that will support a broad range of cultural arts and educational activities. It is a place for all Christchurch people and our visitors to gather to enjoy a vibrant creative and historically important experience.The Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill also seeks to modernise the governance arrangements as we have heard. It provides for a skills-based board of trustees appointed by an appointments committee and candidates will be recommended by stakeholders and the broader community. It is essential that the trust has a strong set of skills as it works its way through this restoration project and also that it has a strong governance structure for the ongoing future. This bill is about protecting the Arts Centre of Christchurch. The Arts Centre is a unique cluster of historic buildings and it will be a fabulous creative arts centre and cultural hub. It is has been a much-loved public space as I said. It has been enjoyed in the past by the people of Christchurch and many many tourists and once again it will be a fabulous people-friendly vibrant space for our city. Thank you.Bill read a first time.Bill referred to the Local Government and Environment Committee.