News
New Development at the Air Force Museum
Following nine years of planning and fundraising the Air Force Museum of New Zealand's Trust Board launched its $14 million expansion to the existing facilities at Wigram. The extension is necessary to better preserve and display aircraft and large artefacts currently in storage and to provide space for aircraft expected to be added to the collection over the next few years.
The new 6200 square metre complex will combine a new aircraft display gallery and large object restoration facility. The building has been designed with the needs of the Museum and the environment in mind, from energy efficient lighting, to solar hot water heating, and rainwater harvesting systems.
Director of the Air Force Museum, Thérèse Angelo, said that although the time taken from initial concept plans to the commencement of construction has been longer than originally planned, it has given the Museum Trust Board time to generate the necessary funds for the project from a number of donors, sponsors and charitable trusts. Unlike many similar museums, the Air Force Museum is not fully funded by local or central government and fundraising for a project this size has been challenging for the Board.
Full architectural plans were completed in 2009 with a planned start date in 2010. The September 4th earthquake delayed progress considerably but the delay may well provide a silver lining for badly affected Canterbury heritage organizations. Since February 22nd Air Force Museum staff have aided in the recovery and storage of historical material from 13 different museums, galleries, and archives. With a large clear floor area and facilities that will allow numerous organisations to work collectively it is hoped that the new building will be able to be used to continue the Air Force Museum’s work in assisting other organisations store and conserve their heritage collections. Should this occur Thérèse Angelo said the Museum Trust Board is willing to delay the Museum’s own use of the facilities for up to three years so the building can provide a greater good to the wider community.
The new development has been designed by Warren & Mahoney in association with Alan Reay Consultants, Beca, and Rawlinsons. Mainzeal are the successful contractor. The extension has been re-designed to meet the new structural code and the land at Wigram is seismically very stable.
The Museum, which is situated in buildings located on the former Royal New Zealand Air Force Base at Wigram, will remain open to the public during the development, which is anticipated to take about 12 months to complete. Estimates suggest that the project will generate $15 million of economic benefit to Christchurch during the period of construction; adding to the $6 million of gross benefit the Museum provides each year as one of the city’s key attractions.
For further information please contact:
Dave Clearwater
Business Manager
03 343 9508
marketing@airforcemuseum.co.nz
