More funds for Sarjeant Gallery

HAPPY: Sarjeant Gallery Trust chairwoman Nicola Williams is buoyed by the gallery's latest pledge.

The Powerco Wanganui Trust has pledged $600,000 to the Sarjeant Gallery's redevelopment project.

The money is to be uplifted in $200,000 instalments over the next three years, if the project proceeds.

The redevelopment includes earthquake strengthening and restoration of the neo-classical 97-year-old gallery and a new purpose-built wing for storing the gallery's collection, plus enhanced exhibition and education facilities.

Powerco's contribution is an addition to the $10 million already raised in private funds. That $10 million has paved the way for the Sarjeant Gallery Trust to apply for an equivalent amount of funding from Government's Regional Culture and Heritage July 2016 funding round.

The outcome of the application for Government funds is not expected until later this year.

In the meantime fundraising is continuing in earnest, Sarjeant Gallery Trust chairwoman Nicola Williams said. She greatly appreciated the trust's pledge.

"We are thrilled that pledges are still coming in. We have other funding applications pending and remain confident that if the Government funding is granted, we will be well placed to get final funding for the project confirmed by the end of the year."

Ms Williams says developed design drawings have been prepared and unencumbered resource consents granted and it is hoped to get construction underway in 2017. If all goes to plan the historic gallery will be re-opened in its centennial year of 2019.