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FUTURE QUEENSTOWN ARTS CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

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April, 2022

The local art societys appealing for people to have their say about the
future of its treasured Queenstown Arts Centre complex in Stanley
Street.
Councillors voted last month to remove the former high school building
which was built about 100 years ago and has housed the arts centre
for 20-plus years from its strategic assets register.
Thats so the council-owned building can be removed from the site,
which has been
earmarked for the Project Manawa civic/cultural centre, but which
meantime council
wants for parking or another laydown construction area similar to
whats on the other side of Ballarat St.
Technically, demolitions another option, though no ones called for
that, and the art
societys instead eyeing up relocating it to the Country Lane precinct in
Frankton.
The council this week began its consultation period, which runs till May
29 via the councils website submissions can also be dropped off to
the council chambers.
It is the voice of the community that will determine the future of the
building and the
Queenstown Arts Centre, art society president Diane Hart says.
We need to make sure the old school building stays in Queenstown and
continues to
provide the community with the services it has provided for the last 20
years art classes, workshops, studio artists-in-residence space, a
commercial art gallery, etc that are so much needed in a growing
community.
Her societys been advised the building can be safely removed, albeit in
sections.
A council subcommittee will consider submissions in June, then the full
council will make
a decision in August.
Assuming demolition is not the outcome, the building will probably
then go out for
tender, Hart says.
The co-owner of Franktons Country Lanes produced this computer
render of how the historic Queenstown Arts Centre building might fit
into her burgeoning precinct off Hansen Road.
Queenstowns council this month decided to seek public submissions on
removing the former high school building from its strategic assets
register, but made clear it wants the building removed and reused, and
not demolished.
The council requires the Stanley Street site for a temporary carpark or
construction laydown area till its Project Manawa civic/cultural centre
is built.
Country Lanes Tineke Enright says the building, turned 180 degrees,
would be an ideal fit behind five cabins theyve already repurposed.
I just love the building, especially the big windows on the other side,
and the floor.
She adds her dad, Bill Grant, was schooled in it and all my aunties.
Society president Diane Hart has said she also believes Country Lane
would be an appropriate site.

Source: Mountain Scene