Christchurch Art Gallery to reopen to the public

Around 360 artworks will be on display in the opening exhibitions upstairs, downstairs, in the foyer and on the roof. Photo / Supplied

After five years and $60 million in repairs, the earthquake-damaged Christchurch Art Gallery reopens to the public tomorrow.

But following much fanfare highlighting the reopening of the much-missed cultural showpiece, workers have endured a nervous and frantic week after the glass-fronted gallery was granted permission to open only at the eleventh hour.

Gallery workers and contractors have been working long hours to bring the building -- now heralded as being one of the safest and most quake-resilient galleries in the world -- up to standard before its official reopening to the public at 10am.

It was finally granted a certificate of public use today, Christchurch City Council project director Thomas Jones confirmed.

"In common with many large complex buildings, the gallery will open under the provisions of sec 363A of the Building Act. This process has been followed in order to give the public access to this community resource at the earliest possible opportunity and in time for members of the public to visit during the public holidays."

The gallery is subject to an amended staged consent process.

Building work is ongoing, but none is in public areas, Mr Jones said.

A certificate of compliance is not expected to be applied for before the end of next month.

The 12-year-old building, which has the phrase "Everything Is Going To Be Alright" emblazoned in colourful letters on its side, became the hub for the civil defence response to the deadly February 22, 2011, earthquake.

Seven months later, the true extent of its damage -- largely beneath ground -- became known and it was shut down for repairs and strengthening work.

In April last year, base isolation work began to bolster its foundations, allowing the building to "float" in any future tremors.

"We can't wait to open our doors to the people of Christchurch on Saturday," gallery director Jenny Harper said.

"Our team has put together an exciting selection of exhibitions, and we want to show our visitors what an exceptional art collection this city has."

Around 360 artworks will be on display in the opening exhibitions upstairs, downstairs, in the foyer and on the roof.

Visitors will be able to view old favourites, including Michael Parekowhai's bronze bull Chapman's Homer, as well as a selection of the 500 new pieces the gallery has acquired over the past five years.

Five new trustees with specialist experience in specific areas have been appointed to the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board. Puamiria Parata-Goodall, Grant Dean, Felicity Price, Mark Todd and Olivia Egerton join incumbents Jen Crawford, Michael Rondel and Erin Victoria Jackson.