The observatory was destroyed when the part of the Arts Centre housing collapsed as a result of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The historic Cooke 6" refractor telescope and its dome initially survived the collapse, but was subsequently run over by a bulldozer when rubble was being shifted.
The observatory suffered destruction during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake when part of the Arts Centre collapsed.  The historic Cooke 6" refractor telescope and its dome endured the initial collapse but were subsequently crushed by a bulldozer while debris was being cleared.