Historic buildings that were once home to one of New Zealand's strongest alcohol rehabilitation centres has been gifted to Hurunui District Council for public use, but what the buildings will be used for is not yet known.The old Queen Mary hospital was th
Historic buildings that were once home to one of New Zealand’s strongest alcohol rehabilitation centres has been gifted to Hurunui District Council for public use, but what the buildings will be used for is not yet known.
The old Queen Mary hospital was the subject of a seven year campaign to save it after Canterbury District Health Board announced it was going to put it on the market in 2003.
Originally built in 1897 the hospital has been used as a sanatorium, in rehabilitating soldiers, treating women with nervous disorders and for alcohol rehabilitation.
“Over recent weeks, its cracked and faded façade has been repaired and repainted as part of essential refurbishment works – the first step in preparing this grand old lady for a new life,” Hurunui mayor Winton Dalley said.
“It just remains to be seen what that new life may be. That is the challenge now facing the community and in particular a stakeholder group charged with taking into account the public’s views in preparing a management plan to guide the future use of the buildings and garden.”
