Work has begun on a $3.5 million restoration of the two-storey heritage homestead at Presbyterian Support South Canterbury’s Park Lane property.
The homestead, given to the organisation by The Croft owners Hamish and Lorna Grant in 1968, was most recently used for administration offices.
But after the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, engineers assessed it as not being up to earthquake standards, and staff were relocated and the building was closed.
Chief executive Carolyn Cooper said after long deliberations, the board had decided it was time to strengthen and restore the heritage 2 listed building.
‘‘It has been a well-used and loved building, and is very much part of The Croft.
‘‘It has come through the quakes remarkably well — there has been no significant damage.’’
Timaru Construction took over the building this week.
A blessing on the building and those working in it was performed on Tuesday by Arowhenua and Waihao maraes’ upoko Tewera King, and Presbyterian Support and Timaru Hospital chaplain Alan Cummins.
The project, estimated to take 15 months, will include strengthening the building and its five chimneys, securing the roof, and installing insulation and fire safety measures.
The interior will be refurbished, and modern alterations — including the installation of firewalls and closing off of parts of the wraparound veranda to form more rooms — will be removed, showcasing the building’s original features to the fullest.
Space on the ground floor of the building will be fitted out as rooms available for community use.
Presbyterian Support will fund part of the cost, but Mrs Cooper said taking the entire cost out of its funds would impact on the work the organisation did in the community. Newly-appointed homestead fundraising manager Tania Macfarlane hoped the spirit of giving demonstrated by the Grants was still alive and well in South Canterbury.
She would be calling on the community to help restore the building.
‘‘We want to hear from people who want to make a difference, people like Hamish and Lorna Grant.
‘‘So many of our community are touched by Presbyterian Support South Canterbury, and we want to hear from people and give them that opportunity to be involved from the start and be part of that journey.
‘‘In South Canterbury we’re lucky there are people out there who want to support the community.’’
