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Cantabrians turned out in force on Sunday (17 September 2017) to get a once-in-a-lifetime look behind the scenes of the Justice & Emergency Services Precinct.
It’s estimated about 14,000 people took the opportunity to tour the facility, with the queue to enter stretching up and down both sides of Lichfield Street.
Ministry of Justice Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman and Chief Operating Officer Carl Crafar were in Christchurch for Sunday’s event.
“It was important that we opened the doors to Cantabrians to give them the opportunity to see spaces in our new facility that will otherwise be restricted areas once the Precinct becomes operational”, Mr Bridgman says.
“For most of our visitors yesterday, it was the first – and last - time they will be in a courtroom or a cell.”
There were plenty of activities on hand for visitors to interact with - the Police Dog Unit proved particularly popular with those waiting in line to check out the cells.
Visitors were also keen to look through the Precinct’s District Courtrooms and learn about how the court and justice system works before continuing the tour route through to the Emergency Operations Centre.
“It was a great day out. Thanks to all the Precinct agencies and the events team for their part in organising the day”, Mr Bridgman says.
Agencies will begin moving into the Precinct from next month ahead of the first public services being provided from mid October.
Caption: Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman with some of the Ministry’s Christchurch team.
Caption: At its peak, the queue stretched up and down Lichfield Street.
Caption: Chief Executive Andrew Bridgman with some of the Ministry’s Christchurch team.