Tauranga is finally getting a public art gallery after 10 years of community campaigning.
The Bay of Plenty's largest city, still playing catch-up through a period of rapid growth, is well behind other provincial centres in establishing facilities such as an art gallery and museum.
Architects' plans for a $3.5 million refurbishment of the old BNZ building on the corner of Wharf and Willow Sts now have resource consent. Work is expected to start in March and take about a year.
Bought for $1.7m four years ago with funds from the Tauranga District Council and the Venetta Miles Trust, the former bank was earmarked for a visual arts centre.
The designs by Auckland-based Mitchell and Stout feature 480sq m of adaptable exhibition space spread over two levels.
Tauranga Art Gallery project director Richard Arlidge said yesterday that the architects had also created a variety of performance and public spaces to meet the needs of a modern, air-conditioned art gallery. There would be an education room, a workshop and art storage area.
Public art gallery for Tauranga
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