Councillors will discuss building a new enclosure for the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system for the Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre on Wednesday.

There are two options for relocating the HVAC system from the roof to the ground – one to the north of the building, and one to the east.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said that the HVAC requires the enclosure to house large equipment including buffer tanks.

“It is timely work as the building is now a decade old and needs continued effort to keep our heritage and art collections preserved for generations to come.

“We’ve had really positive conversations with the six closest residential neighbours.”

The full cost of the project is intended to be scoped out once a site is chosen and detailed design can then be finalised for the HVAC system later this year.

Once Council decides on a preferred location for the mechanical plant enclosure, an application will then be made for a variation to the resource consent.

The consent application would be assessed by an independent planner and commissioner.

A copy of the report is available on the Council meeting agendas and minutes page.

Council meetings are live-streamed on Council’s social media channels (Facebook and YouTube).