Fire engines galore, plane viewing out the window and all with food and drink available — a child’s utopia is going to open on the Taieri Plain.
The Dunedin Fire Brigade Restoration Society has finalised plans to build a standalone exhibition building.
Society building convener Steve McNulty said a 3000sqm building would be constructed on land provided by the Otago Aero Club.
"It is something we have been working on for just under four years.
"We have a lot of trucks and equipment which we have not been able to show," he said.
"Now with the plans we have here we can have all the trucks on display and have some exciting things for the people to see and do."
The society had been active for many years and managed to secure many fire appliances, equipment and uniforms in that time.
It had outgrown its Burnside premises and needed more room and accessibility.
"We have uniforms from the 1860s, equipment from long ago but we just do not have the room to store it ... We want it to be on show and let people see all the items."
The plan was to have a cafe operating in the building seven days a week, as well as a large exhibition space where more than 20 fire appliances would be on static display.
The collection would include the restored 1955 Dennis F8 fire engine which was on loan at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.
Other memorabilia would be on display such as items from the closed Cadbury World shop.
Mr McNulty said plenty of thought had gone into the plans.
"We have visited most museums and exhibitions south of Christchurch, talked to a lot of people and got a lot of good advice and ideas."
Otago Aero Club president Colin Chalmers said it was a good use of the space and welcomed the society to the area.
The project was likely to cost about $4 million and potential funders were to be approached over the next few months.
The aim was to be open by Waitangi Day weekend in 2027, which was when the aero club would celebrate its 100th birthday.
