Renovations are nearing the end at Community House Mid Canterbury.
The house has under gone a refurbishment at a cost of more than $435k with reroofing and solar panels installed.
Next, the almost completed project is getting a temporary change to its entry and reception areas, as well as a new fire exit.
Then double glazing will follow.
Community House manager Robbie Ross said the first step was to move emergency exit door from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) room into the space next door.
The memorial stone at the front of the building will remain in place.
Ross said considerable thought was given to ensuring changes did not take away from the memorial stone commemorating the late Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland who were killed while at work in the former Work and Income building.
‘‘By removing the old doorway and steps, and keeping the stone in place, we believe that we are taking the focus off the building whilst still remembering the people and the loss,” Ross said.
Removing the fire exit from within the room meant CAB could permanently set up their room which was not possible before.
“We have managed to install new double-glazed windows in the room, extend the pergola to match the rest of the building, and will be adding extra seating to the paved area.
‘‘The fire exit will not be used as a public entrance, but an exit from the building in an emergency; we are required to have three exits for safety,” Ross said.
The next step in the renovations was creating a new pedestrian entrance way, then all going well, double-glazing.
“This will involve us having to close the main entrance to the building shortly so we will need to move our reception temporarily to the back entrance, off the car park, as the current main entrance will be inaccessible while work is undertaken,” Ross said.
Entry will be via the back of the building, opposite Safer Mid Canterbury.
If a current grant application is successful, double glazing on rooms not already done will be completed and the entire renovation project will be finished, he said.
Meanwhile clients attending appointments at Community House will be able to wait in comfort thanks to the donation of 20 new visitor chairs from Ashburton Rotary Club members for the corridors.
