Heritage facility proposal could result in better future for museum

A new, up-to-$12 million multipurpose heritage facility connected to the Theatre Royal - which may stimulate the growth of a cultural precinct in downtown Timaru - has emerged as officials’ preferred option in the hunt for a better future for the South Canterbury Museum.

The facility would become the museum’s exhibition space but additional space would be available for the Timaru District Council-funded Aigantighe Art Gallery and touring exhibitions, a draft issues document, prepared as part of the council’s long-term plan process, says.

Its connection with the theatre and other nearby facilities, including Te Ana Maori Rock Art Centre, would enable the development of a heritage and cultural precinct, the document detailing material likely to be released for public consultation says.

Leaving the museum where it is, as it is, would mean it would provide service at its current level, the potential loss of valuable future collection items and no ability to host touring exhibitions, the document says.

If the idea survived the council’s long-term plan process, construction was likely to start in 2023, following the work needed to plan, design and fundraise for the development. That would coincide with the tail-end of the proposed Theatre Royal upgrade.

Overall, council staff estimated the project would cost between $11m and $12m. Its annual operating cost - which would cover additional staff, running costs, depreciation and interest - would be in the vicinity of $800,000 a year. The council’s draft 2018/19 budget sets aside $763,200 to run the current museum.

The draft document says the council has been grappling with determining the best approach for the future of the Perth St museum for years. A feasibility study conducted in late 2014 found the current, 1435 square metre site was unfit for purpose as a future museum.

It lacked adequate work areas and its storage areas were packed; its exhibition space was less than ideal and there was insufficient space to display touring exhibitions; it had fluctuating humidity and temperature, and its physical access was challenging. Leased offsite storage is also used for the museum’s growing collection.

Options including building a new museum on the existing site or elsewhere in Timaru’s central business district were taken to public consultation during the long-term plan process in 2015. The council subsequently decided to review its existing facilities, carry out further investigations and keep $5m in the long-term plan for future museum development, wherever, and in whatever shape, that may be.

Since then, a seismic strength analysis of Pioneer House found it was about 45 per cent of the new building standard and a similar analysis led to the closure of the Aigantighe Art Gallery’s historic house gallery. Further offsite storage space had been leased and further, significant collections had been offered to the museum.

The council had land awaiting possible repurposing after it bought land adjacent to the Theatre Royal in 2005 and 2008.

The draft document says early consultation conducted as part of the 2018 long-term plan found most - about 55 per cent - of respondents favoured upgrading cultural and learning facilities on existing sites. Some 23 per cent favoured a totally new multi-purpose facility and 22 per cent favoured co-locating facilities.

The council considered the feedback and proposed relocating the museum exhibition areas near the theatre.