Albany skies light up to celebrate new public spaces

A big celebration is coming to Albany on Thursday, Guy Fawkes Day.

Westfield Albany is putting on a spectacular fireworks display for the formal opening of two of North Shore City Council’s big-ticket projects.

The $16.6 million projects include the upgraded Civic Cres and the Albany Lakes Civic Park.

Buses have started using the road, which runs alongside Westfield Mall.

The upgraded Civic Cres boasts new bus shelters, priority bus lanes, facilities for cyclists, a safer layout for pedestrians, new seating, lighting and landscaping.

Council infrastructure and environment committee chairman Ken McKay says Civic Cres is intended to become a key public place at the heart of Albany.

The road has been rebuilt to encourage traffic to slow down going to the park and the shopping centre, he says.

Albany Lakes Civic Park has a dual function as a stormwater control facility and a civic space drawing on Albany’s rich heritage.

It features two large lakes, a bridge and an outdoor events stage.

The opening ceremony starts at 7.30pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News