Plans have been revived to restore what is believed to be New Zealand's first indoor shopping mall in Waimate.
Quinn's Arcade, a brick building between High and Grigson Sts with spectacular arched frontages, was bought by a community group, Pro-Ject Waimate, in 2007 for $120,000 with plans to restore it.
However, despite preparing a concept plan and having it assessed by a heritage architect, the project stalled and Pro-Ject Waimate slipped under the radar, despite some major achievements over 16 years.
Now the Quinn's Arcade project is being relaunched and two of those involved, Russell Wallace and Sheryl Frew, are enthusiastic about its prospects.
A group comprising many Pro-Ject Waimate members has formed a transitional committee to drive it.
''There is a group of local people, including some new arrivals in town, who have seen the need to revive Pro-Ject Waimate and start driving the restoration project ... while utilising the good work already done,'' the pair said.
With the Christchurch earthquake destroying many heritage buildings in Canterbury, it had become increasingly important that heritage buildings such as Quinn's Arcade be saved and restored to provide the community and others a glimpse of the past, while providing for modern-day needs.
The group is seeking additional supporters to attend the annual meeting on October 9.
The arcade was built between 1905 and 1907 by William Quinn, using almost 300,000 bricks from his brickworks at his Makikihi farm.
