Option 1 – Retain the status quo

Should we redevelop Wanganui’s cultural heart? Should we retain the current buildings?

The Heart of Wanganui project includes concepts for new cultural buildings, developed by some of New Zealand’s eading architects. In mid-2007 Wanganui people will be asked to vote whether or not the Heart project should go ahead. They will also be asked which concepts they prefer.

Whichever option(s) Wanganui people decide they want, there will be significant costs. Over the coming weeks, we will outline the comparative costs for each option. At this stage, cost comparisons are based on standardised industry building costs, not on detailed plans. We will not have an estimate of actual costs until detailed plans are prepared.

We have assumed that all new projects or status quo upgrades will be started in 2009/10. In reality, projects are likely to be spread over a number of years.

We have also assumed that some external funding can be secured. This amount is noted for each option. However, these funding sources are currently not in place. Repayment of loan funding has been calculated over 50 years.

This week we begin a series profiling each of the options, starting with retaining the existing Library, Gallery, Museum and War Memorial Hall (status quo). Retaining the status quo will be one of the options in next year’s Heart of Wanganui Referendum.

Option 1 – Retain the status quo

Option 1 is to retain the current facilities in their present configurations. There are significant cost implications in continuing to provide services in the existing buildings. The status quo costs include allowances for seismic upgrades and to meet Building Code Compliance requirements and also fitting out any required additions to the current buildings.

Davis Library – More space is required to accommodate users and the growing collection in order to bring the Library up to national standards. Construction of a new east wing to the same size as the west wing will cost a total of $1.5 million.
Alexander Library – Seismic upgrade, plus moving and storing the collection while the work is undertaken, will cost a total of $900,000.

The Gallery requires building code compliance work, climate control and seismic upgrade, a total of $3 million.

The Museum requires seismic upgrade and building works, plus moving and storing the collection during the upgrade. This will cost $5.6 million.

Seismic upgrade will cost $2.5 million.

The total cost to retain the status quo is an additional $13.5 million over the next decade.

Heart of Wanganui website
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Phone: 349 0501

Heart of Wanganui - suburban meetings

The options for Heart of Wanganui will be presented at a series of neighbourhood meetings during November and there will be the opportunity for you to ask questions. We welcome your attendance.

Mayor Michael Laws, in association with the Wanganui RSA, invites all Returned Servicemen to the

Re-dedication Ceremony of the Veterans’ Steps, Queens Park, Wanganui

at 10.30am on Saturday, 11 November 2006

to be followed at 11am by

A wreath-laying ceremony, also to be held at the Veterans’ Steps.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, morning tea will be available in the breeze-way of the War Memorial Hall, Queens Park, Wanganui.

Come and help Wanganui celebrate Armistice Day.

Prologue, an exhibition featuring the private collection of current Tylee Cottage Artist-in-Residence Matt Couper and his partner Jo Russ, is currently on at the Sarjeant Gallery.

The exhibition continues until November 26.

Pictured is Leigh Mitchell-Anyon’s Elvis, from Tiki Tour series, 1982.

Policy Analyst (Sport & Recreation)
Applications close 4 December 2006

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Finance and Administration – Thursday, November 9
- Wanganui District Performing Arts Trust; Cricket Wanganui; Finance Team Action Plan; Storm damage funding; Wanganui rates increases 2006/07; IT report; Manawatu Wanganui Regional Disaster Relief Fund Trust; Financial commitments; Schedule of documents sealed. Confidential items: Rate remission; Debtor write-off.

Infrastructure – Monday, November 13
- Transit New Zealand State Highway Programme update; Proposed walkway stopping – Puriri Street to Armstrong Place; St Anne’s School – school crossing point request; Footpath renewals submissions and revised works programme; Wastewater project update – November 2006; Options for pedestrian crossing – Taupo Quay; Soft water update – November 2006; Wanganui bus service review.

Strategy – Tuesday, November 14 (Council Chamber)

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Thursday, November 16

Harbour (Extraordinary Meeting) – Friday, November 17

The Council will consider the reports from all Committee meetings held in October.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.