The WestpacTrust Sports and Entertainment Centre final cost is $13,811 under budget.

This information was given to the Christchurch City Council’s projects and property committee today by the major projects co-ordinator, Albert Louman.

He said the final cost was $34,199,891, which meant the budget was under-spent by $13,811.

Among work still to be carried out was the problem that heavy smog set off the stadium’s smoke alarms.

More shelving-storage was needed and a carpet would be put in the entrance lobby, he said.

Other items needing attention would be put on a "wish list."

Recoveries of $253,166 were still to be received for the corporate box fitout and key money. Contributions of $280,812 for various rights were also still to be received.

Avebury House investigation

More investigations are to be made into a use for Avebury House, Richmond.

The property services officer, Lewis Burn, told the committee that one proposal was to use the more than 100-year-old house for a community base.

The committee decided to carry out an inspection before making a final decision on its use.

The house, built by William Flesher in 1985, is 4298 sq. m and is set in a heritage park. It was in the Flesher family until 1945 when part of the land was sold to the Government for a housing estate.

In 1948 the remaining land, with the house, was bought by the City Council and established as Avebury Park. The Youth Hostels Association leased the house, then known as the Cora Wilding Youth Hostel, from 1965 to 1997.

Mr Burn said despite alternations and modifications the house remained in remarkable original condition.

It is an interesting example of Christchurch’s Victorian domestic architecture and social heritage, he said.

Art gallery help

Expressions of interest are being sought from companies to contribute materials to be used in the building of the Christchurch Art Gallery in Gloucester Street.

The fund-raising committee is developing a sponsorship-in-kind programme and expressions of interests will close in November with proposals to be made in March.

The council’s major projects co-ordinator, Albert Louman, told the committee that the budget totalled $37.89 million with a built-in contingency of $2.88 million.

He said there were still three and a half years to go on the project with some design and other issues to be resolved.

He hoped the contingency cost would be reduced when the project was finished.

Mr Louman also reported that progress of construction in Cathedral Square was going well.

All paving should be opening to the public by mid-November and all work should be finished by the end of November, he said.

A trial was under way to improve parking and traffic flows in front of the Heritage and Millennium hotels.

The budget was $8.67 million, with a built-in contingency of $360,831.