A $2.45 million contract to redevelop Baring Square East has been awarded to Tru-Line Civil, the same contractor who worked on the revitalisation of Ashburton’s CBD.

The square redevelopment involves creating a new one-way road with angle parking in front of Council’s new library and civic building, and a major replant and renovation of the square itself.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said the work would breathe new life into the area, while retaining some original features of the space, like the whale bones, oval path and water feature. The town’s iconic clock also stays.

“As part of the redevelopment work we will also be moving the Boer War Memorial to Baring Square West. We applied for resource consent to relocate the memorial and that has been granted.”

Relocating the war memorial will be undertaken by specialists and it will be moved across the rail tracks to Baring Square West, where Ashburton’s other main war memorials are located.

“We’ve consulted with the community over this sensitive relocation and have included the advice of heritage experts in the moving plan that has been approved,” Mr McCann said.

The $2.45m contract to redevelop the square was awarded to Tru-Line Civil at Council’s December meeting.

“The work is designed to complement what has already been accomplished in the CBD and it will include a paved plaza entrance to the new civic building, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.

“We see the redeveloped area as being a pleasant spot where people can meet or take their lunch breaks and it will be ideal for big and small events, with some street furniture able to be moved. The new plantings are also designed to give year-round colour.”

Work is expected to get under way soon.