War Memorial Centre re-opens after seismic upgrade
Published on 31 January 2019
The Whanganui War Memorial Centre in Pukenamu Queen’s Park officially reopened at 12pm yesterday, in readiness for the 30th anniversary Downer New Zealand Masters Games event which runs from 1-10 February.
Since June last year the architecturally significant building has been undergoing extensive seismic strengthening to bring it up to 67% of the New Building Standard.
The work has involved securing non-load bearing masonry walls with additional steel poles and adding a reinforced shear wall structure on the forecourt near the main entrance. Structural steel frames have been inserted at the rear of the auditorium and in the Concert Chamber.
While seismic strengthening was underway, maintenance and redecorating work was also carried out.
Whanganui District Council’s General Manager - Property, Mr Leighton Toy, says “We’re pleased to have this building upgraded to 67% of the New Building Standard, rather than the 34% which was originally discussed. For not much extra outlay we’ve managed to get a significantly stronger building”.
He says refurbishment of the concert chamber is still underway, due for completion in time for The CoLab glass artists’ conference on 15-17 February.
The total cost of the project was $4.58M, with approximately $2.6M allocated to seismic strengthening and $2M to non-seismic upgrades.
“The Council received a contribution from The Lottery Grants Board, which offset the cost to the community,” says Mr Toy.
Built in 1960, the Centre is a living memorial to the servicemen and women who lost their lives during World War II. It features a Book of Remembrance, an antique artillery gun and a stained glass window based on Laurence Byron’s ‘Poem for the Fallen’.
In 1961 the building was awarded a gold medal from the New Zealand Institute of Architects. Kylie Wetherall, Whanganui Venues and Events Coordinator Lead, says, “It’s a very functional, attractive building, and offers great versatility for hosting events”.
Mr Toy says, “Whanganui is known for its interesting architecture and we are fortunate to have the War Memorial Centre here, given that it’s listed as one of the top 50 modernist buildings in the Southern Hemisphere.
As well as being an attraction for visitors, the Centre will be enjoyed by our community for generations”.
A games village is being set up on the forecourt of the War Memorial Centre and New Zealand Masters Games participants will be welcomed into the revamped centre as they come in to register.
Mr Toy says, “The centre is already a hive of activity and the forecourt will provide a wonderful social hub for the Masters Games, with this stunning building as a backdrop”.
Caption: Merle Benson (Whanganui District Council’s Property and Projects Executive Assistant) and Maria Cording (Whanganui Venues and Events Coordinator) setting up for the Masters Games with the War Memorial Centre’s stained glass window in the background