Sarjeant Gallery restoration contract awarded
Published on 18 June 2020
Whanganui District Council has approved a $21.9 million variation to contract to McMillan & Lockwood Central Ltd to refurbish and earthquake strengthen the 100-year-old Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui, wrapping up a two-part tender process.
Whanganui Mayor, Hamish McDouall, says, “Our decision to proceed with awarding the contract variation represents the final step in the pre-construction phase, which has been on-going since 1998.”
“Thanks to the Sarjeant Gallery Trust and its fundraising efforts, the generosity and passion of donors and critical funding support from central government, we are finally able to upgrade this extraordinary building, which sits in a prime location overlooking our beautiful city.”
He says, “A $20 million contract was initially awarded to McMillan & Lockwood for the new gallery extension in November 2019 and this part of the redevelopment is currently underway.”
“The price to restore and earthquake-strengthen this nationally significant building has increased from earlier estimates and along with other costs of the development such as landscaping, equipment and fees for professional services, the total budget for both wings of the redevelopment, excluding contingencies, now stands at $49.3 million.”
Funding for the Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment project comes from a combination of sources, including $12 million from the Provincial Growth Fund, $10 million from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, $6 million from the Lottery Significant Projects Fund and $800,000 from the Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund.
The Sarjeant Gallery Trust has raised more than $9.6 million in community grants and donations, interest has netted more than $800,000 to date and Whanganui District Council has allocated $5 million to the project in its long term plan.
Mayor McDouall says, while the Council has agreed to meet future underwriting costs if required, there is no immediate impact on the ratepayer.
He says the project budget has, until now, had to remain in confidence, to support a robust tendering and procurement process.
“I’m pleased we’re now able to share this with our community as we move forward with the redevelopment.
“We’ve also been informed that the project will see an impressive $15.4 million going to Whanganui contractors. It’s exciting to see that jobs for Whanganui people are becoming a tangible reality, particularly at this time,” Mayor McDouall says.
“With modern seismic strengthening, climate control, fire protection, storage and amenity standards, this redeveloped gallery will be a jewel in our crown, adding to Whanganui’s growing reputation as a regional cultural centre and visitor destination.”
Fundraising will continue to take place to meet the increased costs and Sarjeant Gallery Trust Chair, Nicola Williams, says, “The Sarjeant Gallery Trust is absolutely committed to the ongoing fund raising for the reconstruction to help meet these recent cost escalations and lessen any potential exposure to ratepayers.”
Mayor McDouall says, “The Provincial Growth Fund and the stimulus fund administered by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment have also been approached for any further assistance.”
Project Director, Gaye Batty says, “The second part of the tender process was for the seismic strengthening and refurbishment of the existing 100-year-old gallery which has been closed due to earthquake vulnerability since 2014.”
She says this work “is a unique and challenging proposition and the market has identified the risks of working with an old building and priced accordingly.”
“The refurbishment will upgrade a building constructed in the early 1900s to contemporary international standards including modern temperature and humidity control which will protect our taonga in ways never imagined when the building was first designed.
“The existing building will have an innovative post-tensioned strand strengthening system within the brick structure between the Oamaru stone external cladding and ornate interior plasterwork, which both strengthens the building and protects the heritage features.”
“The increase has been largely driven by a construction programme which is eight months longer due to the strengthening works needing to be undertaken sequentially, rather than concurrently as originally estimated,” says Gaye Batty.
“This to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the old building as works progress.”
On Monday, 15 June, 2020, the Council approved a Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment Advisory Committee, with Councillors Kate Joblin and Graeme Young as Council representatives.
The advisory committee will maintain oversight of the project to protect the interests of key stakeholders, monitor progress and ensure risks associated with the project are being managed, ensure seamless stakeholder engagement and report on the project’s execution.
ENDS