11 May, 1998

NEW CHRISTCHURCH ART GALLERY GIVEN COUNCIL APPROVAL

The new Christchurch Art Gallery is on track to open in 2003 following the first 1998 full Council meeting,today, 25 February 1998. At a meeting of the Strategy and Resource Committee on Monday, 16 February, the new Gallery Functional Design Brief and Delivery Options Report were approved pending this endorsement from full Council.

The Project Team

The new Gallery project team, which has been working intensively on the Terms of Reference and Functional Design Brief over the last 8 months, has had the benefit of highly experienced consultants and project managers, who have also worked on the planning and development of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa which has just opened on time and within budget.

"The new Christchurch Art Gallery is the most significant cultural project to be undertaken by the community in more than two decades." (Cr Margaret Murray)

Economic Benefits to the City

The Terms of Reference for the new Gallery were made available during August and September 1997 to the public for comment and discussion. Feedback for the project was unanimously positive in the more than 50 written submissions from various key stakeholders in the community.

"New Zealand Tourism Board consistently shows museums and art galleries to be among the most popular activities for all overseas tourists in New Zealand, second only to shopping.

For tourists, the site is superb - with its main entrance off Worcester Boulevard, the Gallery will have excellent exposure to tourist foot traffic."

(V. Allen, Market Development Manager, Christchurch International Airport)

As has been the case with Dunedin, and now in Wellington, the central placement of a major cultural institution will provide Christchurch with an even stronger cultural focus for visitors during the day, and encourage the local community back during the evenings, further stimulating and supporting other cultural attractions and hotels, restaurants and shopping in the inner city.

The present McDougall’s need for vastly improved facilities for education, families and visitors with special needs cannot be overstated. This is in addition to the necessity for revenue generating services such as a restaurant, greatly enlarged Gallery Shop and auditorium which will meet community needs and expectations.

Carparking

The planned underground carpark which is proposed, to at least replace the size of the present carparking facility, will obviously benefit all of the above activities and will be voted on at the March round of council meetings.

For further inquiries: Albert Louman , Major Projects Co-ordination Manager

Tel. 941 8909

Tony Preston, Director, Robert McDougall Art Gallery

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