Christchurch Art Gallery repairs to get underway

5 April 2013

Christchurch Art Gallery repairs to get underway

Repairs to Christchurch Art Gallery will soon get underway, after being given the go ahead at last week’s Council meeting.

The Council is about to issue a series of tenders to specialist contractors, the first for repairing the foundations, says Christchurch Art Gallery Director Jenny Harper.

“We’re delighted that repairs will start soon, as Gallery staff share the public’s desire to see this important cultural facility reopened as soon as possible. The repairs are significant, but at this stage we expect to re-open in the first half of 2015.”

Though the primary structure performed extremely well during and after the earthquakes and there was virtually no damage to collections inside, over time, liquefaction under the gallery has bent its foundations and the Gallery’s floors are no longer level. In a nutshell, the building will be lifted, the foundations re-levelled, the base isolated and the façade and interiors repaired.

“The building is a home for our treasured art collections and this work will restore its integrity and ensure its resilience against any future quakes,” says Jenny Harper.

With over 6,400 works of art acquired since its foundation in 1932, the Gallery’s collection is important and varied. “But it is important the Gallery is able to continue to borrow exhibitions and other works of art from collections, both public and private, when we re-open,” says Jenny Harper.

The Council will continue to work closely with insurers and their supporting engineers to determine the full extent of the insured damage and the best solutions at each step of the repair work, says Mayor Bob Parker.

“The final cost of the project is not yet available, as the tenders have not been awarded and negotiations with insurers are continuing.”

Through last year’s Annual Plan, and the community consultation that took place, the Council committed to repairing Christchurch Art Gallery to 100 per cent of the new building code, with additional earthquake stabilisation work. The project management contract for the repair of the Gallery was let to a local business alliance, Greenstone Pace, late in 2012.

In the meantime, the Gallery runs an extensive programme of exhibitions in alternative spaces throughout the city, as part of its Outer Spaces programme so Christchurch people can continue to enjoy art.

ENDS

© Scoop Media