Where is the project now?

With the completion of the preliminary design, and the awarding of the design and build contract to deliver the complex to Southbase, the next 12 months is going to see a significant ramping up of activity both off and on the Stafford Street site.

The team have integrated as much of the public feedback where appropriate into the design, and the project is now into the developed design phase.

This is the final plan that locks in the main details of the project and enables the team to go ahead and apply for the various consents required to deliver the development.

The team are aiming to have this completed by late September, early October.

Following the completion of the consenting process the final, detailed design will be completed by February 2024. This will include construction details, materials, components, systems and finishes, everything down to the last bolt.

While the design phase is coming to an end, the physical works stages are set to get going later in the year. This will initially focus on ground preparation and levelling works and preparation for the demolition of the building behind the façade of the Excelsior hotel.

Construction and restoration works will get underway following the completion of detailed design phase in early 2024.

Reference group formed

A project reference group has been formed that includes elected members, staff and contractors.

The initial focus of this group is to monitor the progress of the construction project, but more importantly it will also guide what activities are going to be planned in the building and in the various new spaces it will offer.Updates on the work of the group will be featured here and on the project website.

Southbase to look local for subcontractors

Design and build contractor Southbase will be looking to local industry to supply the key subcontractors required to bring this project to reality. The company will beholding ‘Meet the supplier’ events in the near future, and will welcome alltrades to come along and see what skills our local trades sector can supply theproject.

We’ll have more details of this and other business opportunities on Facebook and through future editions of this newsletter and at timaru.govt.nz/settingthestage

Councilcast takes a look behind the scenes at the museum

In parallel to the work going on to create a new home for the museum, a significant amount of work is going on in working out how to present the taonga that will be displayed inside. This work stream is being led by Museum Director Philip Howe in collaboration with respected museum designers Workshop E.

This week’s episode of the Timaru District Councilcast speaks to Philip about the huge amount of work going on behind the scenes, and gives some insight into what they will deliver.

You can listen and read the transcript of it here.

Why the stone face?

You might have walked past the Excelsior pub many times, but have you ever taken notice of its stone face? It’s a stoic reminder of Timaru’s rebuild from the devastating 1868 fire, and Timaru’s early port story.

The Excelsior started out as the Criterion Hotel, and opened 150 years ago in 1873. Here locals, visitors and sailors hung out. They held meetings, stayed the night, drank and sometimes participated in illegal gambling and private dancing.

The bluestone façade stands strong on Stafford Street. However, the early European buildings in Timaru, didn’t always look like this. They were cob cottages or wooden offices, stores, shops, hotels and pubs.

Timaru’s first cottage was built a block in front of the Criterion Hotel 22 years earlier in 1851. The first people to live there were on a mission to establish the first sheep station in the area. Then a former whaler and family moved in, to establish the first accommodation and pub. The Strathallan Immigrant ship brought 110 immigrants from the United Kingdom in 1859, and by 1866 the town’s population grew to around 1000.

The growing town was humming along, boosted by the busy shipping activity at the foot of Strathallan and George Streets. But after all the hard work to establish their lives here, a devastating event would change the people and the townscape forever.

Read more at: https://www.timaru.govt.nz/news/culture-and-lifestyle/why-the-stone-face