Museum pavilion progresses

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 538, 31 May 1994, Page 6

Museum pavilion progresses

The Kippenberger Pavilion, currently under construction, will soon be matching the style of the existing Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum in Waiouru. Concrete is due to be poured Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. The concrete will be pumped into place, said Lieutenant Donald Jones, officer in charge of construction. It will be poured to a depth of 80mm and will provide the floor for the second level of the two-sto-rey building. Excavation for the site started in February this year. Director of the museum, Major Richard Taylor, said he anticipates the official opening for the pavilion will be inEebruary 1995.

Army engineers from 25 Engineer Support Squadron, Linton Camp, have completed all of the on-site work so far. Mr Jones said the engineers had expected to finish their part of the project by September. Civilian contractors were then to have taken over. Due to a number of factors, the Linton soldiers may now take over some of the interior work during October and November. Work is going according to schedule although there have been a few hold ups. "Because more steel than was originally planned was used in construction, we thought we might need more than 80mm of concrete," said Mr Jones, "and basic construction has been

held up while electricity and computer wiring details are being finalised." In the original plan wiring was to be completed after the pouring of the concrete, but wiring is now to be fixed in the concrete floor. Cables have to be laid for power points and computer needs. Before the computer cables can be placed a decision has to be made about the type of computers to be installed. "Unfortunately details about what sort of computers will be running have to be worked out right now, which can hold work up," said Mr Jones. The engineers had 'block leave' last week, timed to coincide with the May school holidays. After the pour the sol-

diers will be having a week of weapons and fitness testing. Around mid June the exterior panels for the pavilion will be fixed in place. The panels are moulded at Linton camp and have the same appearance as the existing museum. The work that may possibly be taken over by the engineers in October include floor tiling, toilets, cafeteria and kitchen. "Some things will have to go to civilian firms depending on time and suitability," said Mr Jones. Civilian contractors will be responsible for things such as the humidifying system and central heating. The whole museum humidifying system is being upgraded, not just the Kippenberger Pavilion.