Heart project progresses as a result of Auckland talks - 8/12/2005Mayor Michael Laws, chief executive Dr David Warburton and new cultural manager Sally Patrick met today with architects Tony van Raat, David Mitchell and Pete Bossley in Auckland to progress the Heart of Wanganui project.
Mayor Laws and Dr Warburton conveyed to the architects the resolutions of the Wanganui District Council's Strategy Committee that Messrs van Raat and Mitchell be appointed consulting and lead architect respectively for the Heart project. Contractual negotiations between the various parties were agreed and the architects are expected to travel to Wanganui in the New Year to progress the options for public discussion and debate.
"As a result of these discussions, it was decided that Te Papa architect, Pete Bossley, be added to the intellectual talent upon which Council might draw. That we have attracted a man of Mr Bossley's calibre to this project is an outstanding coup for Wanganui," said Mayor Laws.
"We will not let the grass grow under our feet. Wanganui has high expectations of the Heart project and we have the opportunity to create something unique and culturally significant. It excites not just Wanganui but also the cultural leadership of New Zealand."
The working party, in association with the architects, will work on three or four costed options for Wanganui's input in the New Year and the reconfiguration of the Davis Library, the Alexander Library, the Sarjeant Art Gallery, the Whanganui Museum, the War Memorial Hall, its forecourt, and the Visitor Information Centre. |
