118 | COMMUNITY The Croft: Timau Construction T T Alexia Anderson Restoration on the grandest scale The board aims to raise as much funding as possible through grants, sponsorship and donations. A $3.5 million refurbishment project of The Croft’s historic homestead in Timaru is on track to be completed by next Christmas. The homestead, which is listed as a Heritage Category 2 building, will be strengthened and restored throughout the year. Presbyterian Support South Canterbury homestead fundraising manager Tania Stoddart said considerable effort would be taken to restore the atmosphere and elegance of the original residence. The homestead was gifted to Presbyterian Support by Hamish (James) and Lorna Grant, in 1968, on the condition it was used to house the elderly people of South Canterbury. Its character, both within the home and gardens, were also to be maintained as much as possible. The Croft, also known as The Lorna and Hamish Grant Eventide Home, was officially opened in 1980. Tania said adjustments were made 10 years later to create a more “user-friendly” home and two additional dementia wings were added. Now, attention has turned to further restore the building, a project that is expected to take about 15 months to complete. Work will include reinstatement of the original open verandah design, creating indoor-outdoor flow. A sprinkler system will be installed and the upstairs firewall will be removed, reinstating the original landing on the first floor, which will create open, light filled office spaces. Walls will also be removed in two key areas, creating additional productive spaces and much needed storage space. “The refurbishment will create more functional spaces that support our team, our volunteers and, most importantly, our residents,” Tania said. It will also create more space to share with other non-profit and community minded organisations and groups, and provide more areas to benefit residents and their families. “The homestead is part of our DNA, it’s an important representation of the community spirit our organisation has been built on, and we want to ensure we keep that alive.” Key contractors include Team Architects, Kensway project management, Structex engineers and Timaru Construction Limited. Graham Cadighan, from Timaru Construction Ltd, is among those working on site, one he has become familiar with throughout his career having managed previous construction projects at The Croft in the past. Tania said while the overall project was estimated to cost $3.5 million, furnishings will be additional. “This high cost project is attributable to the innovative strengthening solutions that need to be implemented to support the conservation of the heritage features.” The board, which approved the project to start in August 2023, aims to raise as much funding as possible through grants, sponsorship and donations. “If we can fundraise a third of the total cost, we will be happy,” Tania said. She hoped those in a more “fortunate” position would support the community and long-term goals through legacies, sponsorship and stewardship. Tania and the team was “thankful” to those who had provided financial assistance so far, including The Lotteries Board for restoration of the tiled roof, The Civic Trust for strengthening and the Timaru District Council for funding to assist with consents. Generous donations have also been given to the project by community supporters. menzies.group@xtra.co.nz PO Box 166, Timaru 7910 | Phone 03 684 8440 Proud to be associated with Timaru Construction 0800 102 324 Ph: 03 684 8410 www.plunket-electrical.co.nz EcoSmart Plunket Electrical – Your one stop shop for all your electrical needs including Industrial, Commercial, Residential, Heating and Ventilation, Data and Security Member Electrical Contractors Association of NZ MASTER ELECTRICIANS Pleased to be involved with Timaru Construction Security with Integrity www.alliedalarms.co.nz d s Allied Alarms YEARS OF INNOVATION » Security Alarm Systems » High Definition CCTV Systems » Gate Automation Systems » Electronic Access Control Systems 40 years of innovation since 1983 WALLBOARD STOPPING AND INTERIOR PLASTERING INTUMESCENT FIRE RETARDANT SYSTEMS ROOF COATINGS AND MAINTENANCE INDUSTRIAL AND EPOXY COATING SYSTEMS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PAINTING AND DECORATING CONCRETE CUTTING AND DRILLING CONCRETE GRINDING AND POLISHING RESIN AND SPECIALIST FLOOR TOPPING 0800 RANGER EXPERT TEAM EXPERT KNOWLEDGE QUALITY RESULTS www.ranger.co.nz coatings@ranger.co.nz
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