| 7 T T Virginia Wright Society determined to save an icon The Foundry was built in the early 1900s by Stevenson and Cook Engineering, and quickly gained an international reputation for its quality of shipbuilding and repairs. Port Chalmers Foundry When demolition of the former Stevenson and Cook shipbuilding yard loomed to make way for a car park, the Port Chalmers Foundry Incorporated Society volunteered their time and energy to save it. Kris Smith is the co-chair of the society, and he along with Bill Brown and the other seven active members, including Dougal Stevenson, grandson of one of the founding partners, have strong links to the Port Chalmers community. They are working constructively with the Dunedin City Council (DCC) to not only preserve the building as an historic industrial site, but also turn it into a valuable community asset. “It’s a beautiful structure, and an iconic building that’s part of Port Chalmers’ history. So many buildings from that age (early 1900s) have been pulled down so we wanted to save the original part of the structure, in particular, and develop it in two stages. “First, to preserve the original structure as a space for general community use, and then to raise funds for a new contemporary space on the end to support the arts, particularly the visual and performance arts,” explains Kris, who has lived in Port Chalmers for 40 years. The society members have been working closely with architects from RTA Studio to develop initial concept drawings for the overall project, but in the meantime the pressing issues involve earthquake-strengthening and getting a roof back on to make the building weathertight and preserve its character. Originally named the Maori Ironworks, The Foundry was built in the early 1900s by Stevenson and Cook Engineering, and quickly gained an international reputation for its quality of shipbuilding and repairs. Its capacity extended from building huge gold dredges to work Otago rivers, to carrying out repairs and maintenance on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship the Aurora so he could continue exploring the Antarctic. Traces of those historic days remain to this day, and safeguarding those features is a key focus of the current work. “The original gantry crane can still be seen in the structure running along the roof, so we’ll be retaining that, along with the original brick archways, internal steel work, and the oversize green doors that feature in some classic New Zealand art,” explains Kris. With four years of fundraising already behind them, the society members have enjoyed strong support from local businesses and Port Otago, as well as the DCC, with additional support coming from companies with links to Port Chalmers, such as Naylor Love, and lawyers Gallaway Cook Allan. “It’s a big exercise, and we’re keen to hear from anyone who’s interested in joining our organisation as the work continues, as well as any sponsors or donors who would like to be involved,” says Kris. The bones of the project are in place, thanks to the Dunedin City Council taking the essential first steps of stabilising the cliff behind the building and decontaminating the site. The lengthy next step involves the Port Chalmers Foundry Society actively working with architects and engineers to get the costings for the first stage: the refurbishment, development and protection of the original structure. One thing everyone knows is that the land and the buildings, both the original and the new space for contemporary arts, will always be owned by the people of Otepoti-Dunedin, under the stewardship of the Foundry Society, offering their community a place rich in local culture and the powerful sense of belonging that comes with over 100 years of shared history. PORT CHALMERS FOUNDRY w w w . p c f o u n d r y t r u s t . c o . n z We would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the generous support of the following organisations, whose contributions have been invaluable in raising the profile of the Port Chalmers Foundry Society and supporting our projects: Dunedin City Council, RTA Studios, Otago Community Trust, Port Otago Limited, Peasea Art, West Harbour Community Board, Gallaway Cook Allan, Digiart, and Naylor Love. Building People, Creating a Sustainable Future Proudly Supporting Port Chalmers Foundry Naylor Love Dunedin | 78 Ward Street | Phone (03) 474 1153 Naylor Love offers a full range of commercial construction services throughout New Zealand. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “It’s a beautiful structure, and an iconic building that’s part of Port Chalmers’ history. So many buildings from that age (early 1900s) have been pulled down so we wanted to save the original part of the structure…”
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