War Memorial Centre to get multimillion-dollar upgrade

Wanganui War Memorial Centre will undergo earthquake strengthening next year.

Say goodbye to the "worst seats in New Zealand".

A $4.59 million upgrade of the War Memorial Centre which includes earthquake strengthening and about five years of deferred maintenance has been approved by Whanganui district councillors.

The building will be brought up to 67 per cent of the New Building Standard (NBS), nearly double the primary structure's current rating of 34 per cent and well above the secondary structure rating of 11 per cent.

Other work included upgrades to the air conditioning, electrical work and floor along with replacing the seats in the concert chamber which chief executive Kym Fell described at last week's meeting as the "worst seats in New Zealand".

"Most uncomfortable seats in New Zealand," he said.

The work will begin after Anzac Day and is expected to be finished in time for the New Zealand Masters Games in February 2019.

It will be the final major council-owned building to be strengthened - apart from the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment project - following the strengthening of the Alexander Heritage and Research Library, the Whanganui Regional Museum and the Royal Wanganui Opera House.

The committee considered bringing the building up to an overall NBS rating of 34 per cent or 67 per cent at an extra cost of $390,000.

"This is a very reasonable cost for the substantial difference in benefits," council's general manager – property, Leighton Toy, said.

The seismic upgrade involves securing non-load-bearing masonry walls with additional steel poles and adding a reinforced shear wall structure on the forecourt near the main entrance.

Steel frames will be inserted at the rear of the auditorium and in the concert chamber.

Council will apply to the Lottery Grants Board for a contribution.

The War Memorial Centre was opened on April 25, 1960 and it has become one of the most celebrated examples of post-war modern architecture in New Zealand.

In 1961, the building design was awarded a Gold Medal from the New Zealand Institute of Architects and it received a 25-year award from the institute in 1998.

The building has a category 1 Historic Places Trust registration.