An Otago Polytechnic plan to convert part of the former
Dunedin public art gallery into a community facility has
received a boost with a $25,000 grant from the Community
Trust of Otago. The polytechnic plans to spend $100,000
fitting out and furnishing the exhibition area of the former
gallery and making it available for community groups to use
for conferences, exhibitions and gatherings.
The project will begin once restoration work on the building
by the Dunedin City Council is completed. The Category 1
historic building will be named the Sargood Centre and be
occupied by Otago Polytechnic's Otago Institute of Sport and
Adventure (OISA) and Sport Otago.
The community space will boast permanent displays about the
1925 New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition and
the gallery area's history. OISA head Chris Morland said:
''The main benefit of this fit-out is that it gives the
public a chance to experience the beauty and ambience of this
fine building and gallery space, while learning about the New
Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition and other
history of the area.''
- vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz
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