19 September 2012

Heritage grants for historic Otago properties

Three prominent Otago heritage properties have received funding assistance from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) to assist with conservation work.

The owners of the former St Patrick’s Church School and Hall in Lawrence received $60,000, while King Edward Technical College buildings in Dunedin and Butler’s Farm near Alexandra received $22,400 and $7,000 respectively from the NZHPT’s contestable National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund that assists and supports private owners of Category 1 registered properties.

St Patrick’s Church School and Hall was designed by prominent Dunedin architect R. A. Lawson. It is a rare example of school architecture, one of only three surviving public buildings designed in timber and Lawson's only known building for the Catholic Church. Officially opened by Bishop Moran on 17 March 1872 the large wooden building served a dual role of church and school for 20 years and by the 1870s this was the largest school in the diocese. It closed in 1927.

The grant is to assist the owners with the second stage of restoration which includes work to repair, strengthen and insulate and then reinstate the roof structure to make the building water tight. Work is expected to be completed by December 2013.

“St Patrick’s Church School and Hall is such a visible feature of the Lawrence townscape, everyone who passes through the town sees it. The Historic Places Trust is pleased to be able to support the owners in their efforts to see this property, which is protected by a heritage covenant, restored and brought back into use,” says NZHPT Otago/Southland Area Manager Owen Graham.

The King Edward Technical College building is an important landmark in Dunedin city and serves as the venue for a diverse range of volunteer and community groups. The grant has been made to assist with seismic assessment of the building and through the NZHPT’s involvement with the DCC Dunedin Heritage Fund, further assistance of $10,000 has also been provided.

Butler’s Farm owner Nick Taylor has also received assistance to complete seismic assessments for the stone buildings in the historic complex at Fruitlands. The restoration of this complex has been underway since 2010.

“These three properties are examples of nationally important places being actively preserved and managed. In each case, the work being funded relates to strengthening of the buildings which highlights how essential it is to encourage owners to continue to invest in these buildings,” says Mr Graham.

ENDS

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