The proposal will go to public consultation as part of the council's Long-Term Plan process.
In a statement released today, councillors agreed to ask the community if it supports strengthening and refurbishing the museum on its current site at an estimated cost of $52.2 million.
The move comes after council last week considered a report which outlined all options to reopen a museum.
The building was closed to the public in April 2018 because of earthquake safety concerns, and since then discussions about its future have been held throughout the region.
It included five options:
- a minimum refurbishment with 34% of New Building Standards and an estimated cost $25.3 million
- a minimum refurbishment with 67% of NBS and an estimated cost $26.6 million
- a full refurbishment with 67% of NBS and an estimated cost $52.5 million
- the construction of a new building in the site as per existing floor area with an estimated cost $75.4 million
- the construction of a new museum with an increased floor area with an estimated cost of $85.5 million.
The council decided the best solution would be the third option, which would have a time frame of 37 months.
Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt acknowledged the community’s strong desire to see the pyramid reopened.
“By choosing the option that we have, it will be affordable for the council. Rather than having more delays we will be able to start work next year, should the community support our proposed option."
Infrastructural Services Committee chair Ian Pottinger said the report was a fantastic in-depth look at all the options for the future of the museum.
“Those options ranged from the bare minimum ‘patch it up and move on’, to a brand new build, similar to one of the options in the Tim Walker report,” he said.
“Councillors felt strongly the bare minimum wasn’t truly an option. It wouldn’t be fair to our community as it would not future-proof the building or honour the collection within.”
