Controversial sculpture gets boost

A computer-generated image of Neil Dawson's sculpture that is being partly funded by Trust House Foundation. Photo / File

Trust House Foundation has pledged $150,000 towards the proposed northern roundabout sculpture in Masterton, making its installation likely, according to the foundation charged with fundraising for it.

The sculpture, which will cost $250,000 in total, has received mixed reactions from the community.

It is the brainchild of world-renowned artist Neil Dawson who was a student at Masterton Primary School and later a founding student at Masterton Intermediate School.

Trust House chief executive Allan Pollard said they were in favour of granting part of the funds for the sculpture because "it will bring some real artistic value to the town".

"I've just come back from Tauranga and they seem to have a number of these artistic sculptures and it really highlights the town," he said.

"And to be honest I think they look fantastic."

Mr Pollard said he was aware that there had been "a lot of debate around the sculpture" and not everyone agreed with the allocation of trust house grants.

"We only have so much funds available every grant round, and it's really all about trying to balance out how we think we can best spread that money to the enhancement of community wellbeing.

"That's fundamental to what we're trying to do, enhance community wellbeing.

"I accept that we're never going to please all of the people all of the time. We just try to work it out for most of the people most of the time."

The project was commissioned by the Aratoi Foundation who have been sourcing funds for almost five months.

Aratoi Foundation chair and former Masterton mayor Bob Francis said Trust House Foundation's support was an outstanding response that has inspired more confidence in the project.

"We're just working through the final design with the sculptor and we're pretty confident that we can answer all of the questions around some concerns that were raised earlier," he said.

"It is a long-term investment and I'm confident that once people see it up there that they'll be very proud of it and it certainly will provide a real point of difference for Masterton.

"The northern approach is a very special entrance to the town and we just think it's going to enhance that and take it to another level."

He said the artwork is likely to be installed in the March to May period next year.