6 | Rotorua Lakes Council: Rotorua Museum Resoration T T Kim Newth Restoration of heritage icon underway REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most magnificent heritage buildings – Rotorua’s Elizabethan-style Bath House – has been partially wrapped in scaffolding, marking the start of an exciting restoration and strengthening project. The category one heritage building was once a famous spa, built to entice visitors from all over the world to its healing geothermal waters. Since 1969, the building has flourished as a cultural destination, housing Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa. Earthquake-related damage in late 2016 has put the museum off limits to the public, but “This is a real success for our community as the project will benefit our economy, creating jobs and investment into the restoration of our iconic building...” works are now underway to give the building a new lease of life with Rotorua Museum due to reopen there in 2027. Scaffolding and roof trusses went up on the building’s North Wing in August and will be in place until next spring. Over the coming months, handrails and turrets will be removed from the North Wing and taken away for restoration. As well, existing roof tiles will be removed and a warm roofing system installed, along with structural ply on the roof framing. New ‘Marseille’ roof tiles of similar shape and colour will replace the old tiles. Exterior timber will be repaired and refreshed with new paint, replicating existing heritage colours. Following community consultation, Rotorua Lakes Council greenlit plans to proceed with strengthening and re-opening of the museum last August. That was subject to further funding being secured over and above the council’s own $15.5m contribution. The full building project funding target was $73.55m. The final boost required to meet that target came in April 2024, being a $5m grant from the Provincial Growth Fund (Kānoa – RD) and bringing to $22m the total commitment from Central Government. “This is a real success for our community as the project will benefit our economy, creating jobs and investment into the restoration of our iconic building and reputation as a worldclass destination,” says Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, who has extended thanks to all their generous funders and those working on this project for their community. The category one heritage building was once a famous spa, built to entice visitors from all over the world to its healing geothermal waters. An expert team of ire protection consultants working throughout NZ and Asia Paci ic. Our areas of expertise are designed to ensure that our valued client partners bene it from minimal risk combined with optimum value for money. The strength and depth of our specialist areas enables us to deliver a customised service to our clients, combining technical excellence with consistent, market-led innovation. Proudly supporting Rotorua Lakes Council on the Rotorua MuseumRestoration Project BRENDON TURNER DIRECTOR FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALIST 022 700 0064 L1 - 373 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland bturner@osbornassociates.com O S B O R N Osborn Associates NZ Fire Protection Consultancy
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