Almost exactly one year after a simple sod-turning ceremony, Rarakau:Riccarton Centre was officially opened this afternoon.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, together with long-term Riccarton resident, Mary Narbey, and five-year-old Jack Snell, jointly cut the celebratory ribbon at a short ceremony attended by city councillors, community board members others who have been involved with the centre's development.

 Ms Dalziel expressed her hope that the centre would provide new directions for the community, and be a means of encouraging community development. 

An immigrant from Iran, Sirwan Mohamadi, read a new poem he composed for the occasion. Mr Mohamadi is one of the leading people working towards the installation of a Peace Garden at Harrington Park.

His poem read:

A reccuring theme in my book
To a brighter future we must look

Muslim, Christian or Jew 
This is for all of you 

Black, brown, yellow or white 
Together we must unite 

And push back against hate 
Because there is no time to wait 

Now rise and take each others hand 
Because this is the only way to make a stand 

For all i can say Is that there is no better way 
To put our unity and love on display 

Below : the Treasurer of the Central Riccarton Residents' Association, Joscelyne Silcock; Mary Narbey, and Jack Snell lend their hand at the initial sod-turning ceremony.