Mahara Gallery construction contractor appointed and work to begin soon

The redevelopment of the Mahara Gallery in Waikanae will get under way soon, following the appointment of a construction contractor, reports the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Mahara Gallery is the district public gallery for Kāpiti. Its redevelopment involves rebuilding the current gallery on its existing site in Mahara Place, Waikanae.

Janet Holborow, Deputy Mayor and Arts and Culture portfolio holder said Crowe Construction was confirmed as the main contractor following a competitive tender process.

“Based in Levin, Crowe Construction has a strong track record of successful project delivery for Council, so we’re pleased to have them on the team to rebuild the Mahara Gallery,” said Councillor Holborow.”

Work on the Gallery is due to start in early November and is programmed to take 12 months. Council will work with the contractors to minimise impacts on businesses and locals and to keep everyone informed about the works.

The public toilets attached to Mahara Gallery will close when the building does. Before a new, permanent toilet block is built, temporary accessible toilets will be installed nearby.

Project partners the Mahara Gallery Trust Board and Field Collection Trust have welcomed the awarding of a contract.

“It is a tremendous relief to us to know that the Gallery will be upgraded to accepted museum standard so our gift to Mahara of the nationally-recognised Field Collection can be accepted,” said Field Collection Trustee Kay Brown.

“The upgrade will deliver a purpose-built gallery with double the number of exhibition galleries and almost triple the amount of exhibition space,” said Mahara Gallery Trust Board Chairman Gordon Shroff.

“The Trust is now focussing on attracting the remaining funding needed for the project and on ensuring that the Gallery continues to have a presence in Kāpiti during the construction period.”

Kāpiti Coast District Council is contributing $2.8 million of the estimated $6.5 million project cost. Of this sum, the Waikanae Community Board is contributing $250,000.

The remaining funding is the responsibility of the Mahara Gallery Trust Board. It has so far attracted a grant of $2.1 million (exclusive of GST and including a contingency sum of $0.432 million) from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Regional Culture and Heritage Fund, $450,000 from the New Zealand Lottery Board’s Environment and Heritage Fund and more than $1.5 million from private trusts and individuals.

Kāpiti Coast District Council has undertaken to underwrite any shortfall in Trust fundraising, currently less than 10 percent of the project cost, so construction can begin.

“It’s fantastic to get to this point after so many years of planning,” added Councillor Holborow.

“The improved gallery will be fitting for our creative community and a facility which will be able to house and display the Field Collection and other taonga; it’ll be a cultural hub for our growing district. We still have funds to raise so watch out for opportunities to support our efforts.”