Old courthouse in for $10k worth of TLC

A community trust is planning the next phase of renovations to the Carterton Courthouse, with the help of two grants.

The Carterton Community Courthouse Trust received a $5500 grant from the Carterton Rotary Club and a $5000 one from Trust House, which it hopes to use towards restoring the historic building's exterior.

Trust chairman Joseph Gillard said the grants showed community backing for the project was strong.

"It's all an indication of support for a community project and I think the community at large is behind it, and it's doing well. It was really fantastic - their financial contribution has been amazing."

The trust was applying for a third grant from another agency, which it hoped would allow it to begin "a lot more work", including on the exterior as the weather warmed up, he said.

It would know in about a month if its application was successful.

If it did gain the grant, the money would go towards joinery work and repainting the exterior, Mr Gillard said.

At the moment the group was working on taking up the particle-board floor and polishing the original tongue-and-groove floor.

As well, it was planning costings for the building's interior renovation.

In addition to the grant, the Rotary Club recently held a working bee at the courthouse, during which 15 of its members helped strip the 1950s interior lining.

Another indication of the level of community support was the advice being provided by Carterton architecture firm Architecture Robinson Crimp, which was helping design new steps and advising on paint colours, Mr Gillard said.

The Carterton Courthouse was built in 1884 and while not heritage-listed, it is listed on the Carterton District Council schedule of heritage buildings.

Once fully renovated, the courthouse will act as a hub, with community agencies making use of the space.