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At an extraordinary meeting on Monday, 5 October 2009, Council decided that the Visitor Centre will be relocated to the building known as the Tearaway building at 31 Taupo Quay.
The concept design for the refurbishment of the Council-owned building was presented by Mark Southcombe of Void Architecture Research Urbanism.
Alternative concepts were presented by Dalgleish Architects and DLA Architects and Council thanked and congratulated all architects for their innovative and interesting designs.
Mayor Michael Laws said that he supported the Void design because it was the "safe, sturdy choice". He also noted that "heritage is the saviour of Wanganui" – a reference to the building's early life as a riverbank warehouse.
Mayor Laws commented further that the new Visitor Centre could be the catalyst for further changes in the area and a starting point for the future development of the riverbank as a tourist destination.
It is anticipated that the refurbished building will include a café and a souvenir shop and it is possible that a Glass Art Museum will also be incorporated.
The interior will reflect the importance of the Whanganui River to our community with a river marine life aquarium and Wanganui bush display as well as being a state-of-the-art Visitor Centre – a destination in its own right.
Architecturally, the remodelled building will transform the existing warehouse building, highlighting Wanganui's architectural heritage and creating an authentic and specifically Wanganui Visitor Centre experience.
View concepts and commentary (PDF, 8.94MB)
(Click on the images to see more detail)
 
 
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