Powerco Wanganui Trust Supports Sarjeant Gallery Project

Powerco Wanganui Trust Supports Sarjeant Gallery Project

11 August 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Whanganui’s historic Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua redevelopment project has received another significant boost, thanks to Powerco Wanganui Trust.

The Trust has pledged $600,000 to the project to be uplifted in $200,000 instalments over the next three years, conditional on the project proceeding.

The redevelopment includes earthquake strengthening and restoration of the neo-classical 97-year-old Sarjeant Gallery and a new purpose-built wing for storing the gallery’s extensive and nationally significant collection. The new wing will also include enhanced exhibition and education facilities.

Powerco’s generous contribution towards the redevelopment is a welcome addition to the $10 million already raised in private funds. This paved the way for the Sarjeant Gallery Trust to apply for an equivalent amount of funding from the Government’s Regional Culture and Heritage July 2016 funding round.

The outcome of the application for Government funds is not expected until later this year.

Chair of the Sarjeant Gallery Trust Nicola Williams says in the meantime fundraising is continuing in earnest.

“We greatly appreciate the Powerco Wanganui Trust pledge which gives the project another huge and very welcome boost and keeps up the fundraising momentum.

“We are thrilled that pledges are still coming in. We have other funding applications pending and remain confident that if the Government funding is granted, we will be well placed to get final funding for the project confirmed by the end of the year.”

Ms Williams says developed design drawings have been prepared and unencumbered resource consents granted and it is hoped to get construction underway next year (2017). If everything goes to plan the historic gallery will be re-opened in its centennial year of 2019, Ms Williams said.

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