Canterbury Museum in ‘dire need to repair’, lodges resource consent on behalf of redevelopment

Concept designs of these proposed museum redevelopment. Photo or Canterbury Museum

Canterbury Museum is in “dire need including repair”, is leaky, and has never insulation or air conditioning.

The museum confirmed these it lodged a resource consent submission with the Christchurch City Council ready for its proposed $195m redevelopment.

Canterbury Museum director Anthony Wright said the redevelopment has been needed to address seismic, structural, facility and operational issues that were threatening the future viability of the museum.

He said contemporary buildings were in “dire have got to have of repair”, with cracks throughout the building letting pests in.

The building also lost when it rained and there was number air conditioning or insulation.

The museum had half the money needed and was “confident” it could raise another $10m. About that left a funding gap as to $70m.

“The museum is in active discussions with other possible funders and has developed a corporation case seeking funding from in the center of government to secure the funding shortcoming, ” said Wright.

“The redevelopment is critical. If it does not happen, we may be forced to consider options for closing public parts of the buildings to store and prevent the collection. ”

Concept designs had been developed by Athfield Architects.

Our museum was asking the council to publicly notify the learning resource consent so everyone had an to the comment on the plans.