Waitaki’s Forrester Gallery Expansion Nears Completion After Eight Months

The expansion of the Forrester Gallery in Waitaki is on track for completion, with significant progress made over the past eight months. During a recent site tour, Waitaki Mayor Melanie Tavendale joined former gallery directors and members of the Friends of the Forrester Gallery to celebrate the advancements and future plans for the project. The team from Naylor Loves, the main contractor, has been working diligently to reach this milestone.

Keegan Murphy, representing Naylor Loves, expressed pride in the collective efforts of the construction team and subcontractors. “It’s been a massive effort over the last eight months to get to this point, and that’s something we can all be really proud of,” Murphy stated. He added that the goal is to achieve weathertight status by the end of November, with plans to hand over the project to the Waitaki District Council for interior fit-out in early February.

Community Support and Funding Acknowledged

Chloe Searle, the arts, culture, and libraries manager for the Waitaki District Council, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project. She acknowledged the incredible progress made not only by the construction team but also by various community members and organizations. “Thanks to everyone on the construction side but also the many people and groups, including our funders at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the awesome work from the Friends of the Forrester Gallery, and numerous other funders—big and small—who have played their part in bringing this dream to life,” Searle commented.

The expansion project is supported by a range of external funding sources, including grants from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Regional Culture and Heritage Fund, as well as contributions from the Lottery Environment and Heritage, the John Westwood Christie Trust, the Alexander McMillan Trust, the Stout Trust, and a bequest from Ivan Hunter Main. Additionally, extensive community fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Forrester Gallery have played a vital role in financing the expansion.

As the project progresses towards its completion, the community of Waitaki eagerly anticipates the enhanced facilities that will be available at the Forrester Gallery. The commitment demonstrated by local leaders, organizations, and community members underscores a collective effort to enrich the cultural landscape of the region.