An architect involved in altering old buildings to create Wanganui's Quay School of the Arts was surprised to hear that four of them have less than one-third of the strength required by modern building codes.
Mark Southcombe and Wanganui engineer Wesley Palmer were both involved in the rebuild during the 1990s.
The Quay School buildings were at two-thirds of structural codes when alterations were completed in 1994, Mr Southcombe said.
In 2002 UCOL merged with the Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic. UCOL chief executive Paul McElroy confirmed that the printmaking, photography and painting fine arts buildings it inherited were at 60 per cent of the 1985 code, and above what was required.
However, requirements had been raised since then. Since a new building code came into force in 2008, the Quay School buildings have had less than two-thirds of the strength required.
"The seismic risk hasn't changed over time. It's about raising the standards of safety. UCOL wants to raise the standard," Mr McElroy said.
And three other buildings at the new campus were at a lesser standard - the student health building, the Federal Gallery and the block that houses the Edith Gallery.
The Christchurch earthquakes had heightened awareness of seismic danger.
The new parts of the Whanganui UCOL campus met 100 per cent of the 2008 code, with piles sunk 31m into the ground to beat any potential liquefaction at the riverside site.
"Many people occupy the premises for extended periods of time through the day and evenings, and a high standard is appropriate."
The 150 arts students and their 20 teachers would be moving to the former Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic site in Wicksteed St, now leased by the Tupoho Whanau Trust, next year. Disruption would be minimised by doing the shift during the summer break.
It would cost about $200,000 a year to keep them there, and about $400,000 to fit out specialist facilities for their use.
In the meantime the Taupo Quay buildings would be either strengthened or demolished and rebuilt during two or three years, at a cost of $5 million to $10 million.
Decisions would be made building by building, based on a cost benefit analysis, Mr McElroy said.
Asked whether the polytech had the funds for the job, he said it had significant reserves put aside. "There are proceeds from the sale of the old campus buildings ... and some borrowing options if required."
Buildings on shaky ground
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