Mr Paterson is revealing little of his plans for a prehistoric-themed virtual reality experience, to be called ''Oamaru's Prehistoric World'', other than that he hopes to have it open to the public next year.
Visitors to Oamaru artist Jesse Geary's exhibition at the station at the weekend got a glimpse of Oamaru's Prehistoric World, as a trailer saying it was ''coming soon'' was playing in Mr Paterson's 6m by 6m theatre.
Mr Paterson bought the Oamaru Railway Station for $1000 in March, with the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust imposing a condition he spend at least $100,000 (plus GST), excluding labour, on maintenance and restoration over the following 18 months.
A restaurant and brewery officially open in the station tomorrow, Mr Paterson's gallery space is set and now his focus is on Oamaru's Prehistoric World.
The trust sold the historic wooden railway station to a North Island buyer last year, but settlement did not take place. ''When the sale fell through, and I was looking for a space for myself, I just thought `Gosh, that's got potential','' he said.
It had been a huge undertaking to renovate the 0.3234ha property in Humber St, with the feature building being the historic 1900 wooden railway station.
However, Mr Paterson said he had ''broken the back'' of the major work.
''We've stopped all of the leaks and we've just about painted 90% of it [and] 80% of the floors are done and varnished ... the old floors have come up looking good,'' he said.
''What you end up with are these neat rooms with the white walls and the varnished floors - it's exciting.''
Another building on site, which was once used by the local Wheeltappers and Shunters club, has also been refurbished as accommodation. For the next four months, he is going ''full-bore'' creating Oamaru's Prehistoric World, which would be ''a little bit of reality mixed with a little bit of fantasy''.
Much of Mr Paterson's personal work, particularly his bronze sculptures, has been inspired by Greek mythology.
''Everyone likes dinosaurs. I think we're all fascinated by them, but me personally - I love the connection with Greek mythology,'' he said.
''And also, I just like the fact that so much of that sort of thing went on around here.''
He hopes to co-ordinate with the Vanished World Centre and trail to promote the geology of the Waitaki district.
Mr Paterson, who moved to Oamaru from Christchurch about six years ago, already has his eyes on another prominent building in the town to transform and attract more creative people.
But for now, he is just excited about seeing his vision for the railway station turn into reality.
''I can't wait for this to all happen,'' he said.
''I want it to be a wee hub, a wee oasis. We need things going on here.''
