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Litigation wraps up By Sue Newman
sue.n@theguardian.co.nz
Eight years after work started on the construction of Ashburton’s art and heritage centre, settlement has been reached on a repair project that could finally make the West Street building fit for purpose. The complex has been plagued by a raft of issues including
weather tightness and temperature control from day one, and while the council has undertaken several expensive fixes, the problems have continued. While it continued to undertake repair work as needed, as the building’s owner, the Ashburton District Council commissioned a Christchurch company to investigate the building’s problems to
provide an indepth understanding of the remedial work required. At that time the extent of the repair work was estimated at well over $1.5 million. In October 2018 the council confirmed that it was involved in a court case over the ongoing issues and proceedings were issued against parties involved in the design and construction of the West
Street building. The council has now confirmed that the ongoing litigation arising from the Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre project has been resolved. While the settlement terms were confidential to those parties, council chief executive Hamish Riach said the council was now in a position to complete the neces-
sary works relating to the building and mechanical services. It is working with relevant experts to resolve the condensation and circulation problems that have been experienced in the building.
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