Museum upgrade a step closer

The Switzer's (Waikaia) Museum, where a $1 million redevelopment is planned. Photo supplied.
The Switzer's (Waikaia) Museum, where a $1 million redevelopment is planned. Photo supplied.
The committee which runs a small museum in Waikaia, north of Gore, is welcoming a $400,000 grant from the Lottery Grants Board.

The grant, on top of $300,000 raised through other grants and community fundraising, meant the plans for a $1 million redevelopment on the current site were ''close to being assured'', chairwoman Mairi Dickson said in a statement.

''The community is overjoyed the funding has been secured from the Lotteries Commission. We can now move into the consent and development phase. It is hoped the project will be under way in April and completed by December.''

An application for additional funds required to complete the project would be presented to the Community Trust of Southland this month, she said.

Switzer's, later renamed Waikaia, grew rapidly in the 1860s after the discovery of gold and the arrival of European and Chinese prospectors.

The population topped 3000 at its peak, making it one of the largest settlements in Southland at the time.

The museum collection is housed in part of the town's community hall.

The redevelopment project focused on the refurbishment of the existing building to create modern display galleries, and appropriate storerooms to meet international conservation standards and ensure utmost preservation, Ms Dickson said.

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