The plan to extend the historic former Oamaru bank chambers in a $7.3 million project is about to take the next step.
The Waitaki District Council has approved going to tender for the design and procurement stage of a long-planned Forrester Gallery extension.
The council-funded gallery, now in its 40th year, is in the former Bank of New South Wales beside the ANZ on Thames St.
It is a key part of the Victorian precinct at the south end of Oamaru’s CBD.
In 2019, the council approved the expansion on the condition external funding was sought for the project.
Mayor Gary Kircher said the extension had been a long-term vision and at this point they were very fortunate to be in the position to go out to tender.
"This extension has been planned for the past 15 years or more and will provide several important features such as access to the whole building for everyone, and a fantastic education space for our young people," he said.
"It has been an awesome achievement to be able to see this project get to this stage, with minimal funding from ratepayers thanks to the external funds raised."
Key was the gallery gaining $6.5m from the government’s Regional Culture and Heritage Fund in 2023. This had topped up the gallery fund to about $7.3m including Friends of the Forrester Gallery contributions, bequests and anonymous donors.
"Importantly, the significant amount of external money allows us to go ahead," Mr Kircher said.
"We haven’t had to rate specifically. It’s going to go out for tender: hopefully it will have a good result."
The 780sq m extension design was approved by the council after it considered six options to fit the budget, including a fit-out.
Mr Kircher said the proviso was an extension "lent itself" to the current building.
"Heritage NZ signed off on it ... There have been a few iterations."
The new addition will extend from the rear of the current gallery facing Humber St, with an atrium connecting the existing three floors of the old building. It will include a climate-controlled collection store, a large main gallery, education space on the first floor and a lift.
Forrester director Chloe Searle said the project had been three decades in the making.
"We are pleased with the support councillors have shown to this extension ... that we are heading towards construction in 2025 is a testament to the hard work of my predecessors, and the many people in the community who support the Forrester Gallery."
To date, Tilt Architecture Ltd had undertaken the exterior design while Designtech Architectural Ltd was doing the interior design.
