New-look Eat Streat quickly taking shape

ALMOST THERE: Eat Streat, at the lake end of Tutanekai St, is less than a month away from being opened to the public. Photo / BEN FRASER 221113BF11

Eat Streat is quickly taking shape and is going through its most intense building phase.

According to Rotorua District Council Inner City Enterprises manager Nick Dallimore the new Eat Streat will be fully open to the public on Friday, December 20.

"Right now the last of the timber beams are being fixed into place, readying the structure for installation of roof panels.

"At that time special lighting, being provided through a partnership with Unison and Phillips, will be installed and integrated into the structure.

"Soon afterward we'll start installing the central wooden boardwalk timber that is currently being given its final treatment and drying off-site."

Work on the $2 million project began in mid-August.

Mr Dallimore said the entrances to both ends of the Eat Streat precinct would be cobbled with water features at both ends of the roof structure added. Gardens and landscaping would follow soon after.

"So there's heaps of activity under way right now, but everything is on target for Eat Streat to be fully operational following a blessing on Friday, December 20."

The official opening of the new precinct will be scheduled for the New Year once businesses have had time to settle into their new spaces and their new retractable roofing has been installed.