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David Skegg
The University of Otago has appointed architects for
stage one of its $50 million development at the Forsyth Barr
Stadium, but construction will not start until after the
realignment of State Highway 88 away from Anzac Ave has been
confirmed.
Warren and Mahoney, a New Zealand firm with offices in
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, will take
on the project, with Dunedin firm McCoy and Wixon assisting.
McCoy and Wixon has already designed buildings on the
university campus, including the zoology building and the St
David St lecture theatre.
The future of the State Highway 88 realignment will be
clearer today, when Transport Minister Steven Joyce launches
the New Zealand Transport Agency's national land transport
programme in Wellington.
The programme will confirm whether funding is available for
the $16.3 million realignment, described as as "integral to
the development" of the stadium.
Asked when building might start, a university spokeswoman
said no decision had yet been made.
The university buildings will face Anzac Ave, on the western
side of the stadium site, and their development is part of
the university's "critical space plan", which in 2005
outlined a $137 million building programme.
Vice-chancellor Prof Sir David Skegg said the first stage of
the university complex would include a gymnasium and
recreation space, a physiotherapy clinic, teaching and
learning space for the Foundation Studies programme and a
cafeteria.
The university was "delighted to be working with outstanding
architects in developing what should be an iconic building
for the campus".
"While this new complex will free up space that is urgently
needed under our critical space plan, it will also create an
important campus hub where students and citizens can mix."
The university has estimated its new facilities would attract
about 430,000 visits annually.
The second stage of the building programme was likely to
provide expanded facilities for the Student Health Services,
together with research facilities for the Dunedin
Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit.
