Crucial time for Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment

Crucial time for Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment

20 June 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A second million dollar pledge in a month has boosted fundraising efforts for a proposed $34 million redevelopment of Whanganui’s historic Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua.

The latest donation of just over $1 million from a long standing Whanganui trust fund, the S.M Davis Trust, follows a decision to wind up the 59-year-old trust and is conditional on the redevelopment project going ahead.

Sarjeant Gallery Trust Chairman Nicola Williams says the Davis donation and a further $1 million grant announced earlier this month from the Whanganui Community Foundation funding have come at a critical stage in the project. The project needs to have confirmed private sector funds of $10 million by the end of June to unlock an equivalent amount of funding from central Government’s Regional Culture and Heritage Fund that is pivotal to the project.

Ms Williams says the Trust only needs to raise a further $3.4 million from the private sector to qualify for the Government funding.

She says that in turn will enable the trust to confirm other funding proposals which will help get the project over the line.

Ms Williams says support for the project - particularly at regional level - reflects a growing commitment to make sure the heritage gallery and its nationally significant art collection are preserved and developed for future generations.

“We are so close now but the June deadline is looming and we are urging individuals and organisations who want to contribute to get in now.”

The S.M. Davis Trust was set up in 1957 following the death of Whanganui philanthropist S.M Davis who left a sizeable sum of money to a number of Whanganui charities. The residue of the estate was invested and held in trust for the benefit of the citizens of Whanganui.

Davis Trust solicitor Richard Austin said the Trust had been a regular contributor over the years to various Whanganui initiatives and charities.

Mr Davis had a deep affection for the Sarjeant Gallery and had left a legacy to the gallery in his Will. He said the trustees saw the redevelopment project as being of such significance - providing a material asset to Whanganui residents - that it was making a full distribution of the remaining capital. Whanganui District Council, who had to be consulted under the terms of the Will, had also voted unanimously to support the bequest, said Mr Austin.

Whanganui Mayor Annette Main welcomed the Davis Trust’s pledge.

“The Davis Trust has made outstanding contributions to our community over the years and it seems a fitting tribute for the Trust to wind up with distributing the last of its capital to the Sarjeant Gallery,” Mayor Main said.

“Mr Davis, with his bequest, has enhanced life in our community through the Davis Trust’s philanthropic work. The Sarjeant redevelopment will continue to contribute to the enhancement of our cultural fabric for years to come.”

The proposed multi-million dollar Sarjeant redevelopment includes earthquake strengthening and restoration of the historic Sarjeant Gallery and development of a new purpose built wing for storage of the extensive and nationally significant art collection, exhibitions and education purposes.

Developed design drawings by Warren and Mahoney Architects have been prepared and resource consents granted. If everything goes to plan it is hoped to get construction underway by the middle of next year enabling the historic gallery to be reopened in time for its 100th centenary celebrations in 2019.

END

© Scoop Media