24 June 2019 - ADC - The
Ashburton District Council will this week set aside a provision of $2.5
million in its Annual Plan 2019-20 for potential remedial work on the
Ashburton Art Gallery & Heritage Centre building.
The
Council became aware of intermittent water leakage issues at the
building during some extreme weather conditions since the building
became fully occupied. Specifically, investigations have identified
issues related to weather tightness and thermal bridging. It has also
been determined that the air conditioning system is not working to the
Council’s expectations.
“Council
understand our responsibility and the need to safeguard this asset on
behalf of the Community. We continue to pursue compensation from
associated parties, but as yet, no resolution has been confirmed,” said
Mayor Donna Favel.
The Council
is currently working through the details of what work may be needed to
address these issues, and the budget provision would provide for those
repairs.
Mayor Donna Favel
added that the proposed $2.5 million provision would ensure the Council
has some contingency in place for when it will need to carry out those
remedial works.
"Late last
year, the Council began undertaking a detailed design of the remedial
work required on the building to address all known issues and enable the
building to meet the required operating specifications."
"We
appreciate the co-operation of building tenants - the Ashburton Art
Gallery and Ashburton District Family History Group, and Council
department, the Ashburton Museum, who have each been safeguarding their
respective collections and will work to ensure safety of the same during
any remediation of the building," she added.
The budget provision will be discussed at the Council meeting on Thursday, 27 June 2019, as part of the Annual Plan 2019-20.
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