‘‘The purchase was a chance to secure a building large enough to house an expanded museum and in a high-profile location’’
gave the council an opportunity to review the scope of the museum, its height provided more options for exhibitions for example.
Eventually it would replace the current museum built in the 1970s on the other side of town.
Waipa¯ mayor Jim Mylchreest said the purchase was a chance to secure a building large enough to house an expanded museum and in a high-profile location.
‘‘It’s across the road from Selwyn Park, near the historic St John’s Church and is close to the Mangaohoi Steam.
‘‘Plus there is plenty of room on site for further development to meet the vision we have for Te Awamutu.’’
Mylchreest said the purchase will mean a ‘‘rejig’’ of the council’s long-term plan which has yet to be finalised.
The council had already committed $7.2m to Te Ara Wai in the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.
The timing or release of that funding could be brought forward and will be considered as part of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan before it was signed off in June, and after discussions with iwi.
The council would also rethink its plans and opportunities for the Mahoe St site which had originally been earmarked for Te Ara Wai, and which the council also owned.
Mylchreest said the design work already done for Te Ara Wai would still be used. Securing the former Bunnings site would also make it easier for the council to attract external funding.
The council said it had no plans to buy the neighbouring Cambridge Bunnings store which also closed in 2020.