Council has today confirmed the sale of its former Baring Square West administration building and land to Havelock Development Limited for $2.3 million.

The three-storey building and 5059 square metres of land was in four titles and the sale was settled today.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said settlement had been expected at the end of January, but was brought forward by agreement.

“The paperwork has now been completed and the new owner will no doubt release plans for the site when they are ready.”

The former council chamber, a relocatable building with a Havelock Street frontage, was sold separately to the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union and has been shifted to the Ashburton Showgrounds, where it will serve as an administration building for rugby.

The former staff room, on the western side of the administration building, was bought by Talley’s and has also been relocated.