Development of a new 2000sqm build at the Ashburton Aviation Museum is flying along, but still in need of $300k to finish.
The roof is on, the south-facing wall up and it is ready for interior walls.
Building committee chairman Owen Moore said the building was now ‘‘mostly enclosed’’ and protected from the sou’ west winds so interior work could begin.
‘‘It means we can now get in there and do some work in the warmth,’’ he said.
‘‘There are toilets to be built, kitchen walls to be built.’’
All the framing was then expected to be put in place for the bar and kitchen facilities, he said.
How far that work progressed will depend on available finances.
‘‘We will see how much money we have left over.
‘‘We haven’t got enough to do the whole job yet. We’re short about $300,000.’’
Plans were in place for further funding applications but community support was always welcomed, he said.
Moore said museum members were expecting a new exhibit of a ‘‘quite rare’’ Jodel aircraft, bequeathed to the museum from the late John Byers, of Christchurch.
John, an avid aircraft builder and former club member, designed the lighting plans of the last hangar built at the airport.
The arrival of the Jodel was much anticipated by members.
‘‘It does fly, it will be flown in,’’ Moore said.
The new build, at a cost of $2.5m, will connect two existing display hangars at the Ashburton airfield.
It will include a community function room, semi commercial kitchen and toilet facilities, and be available for hire for meetings and large functions.
Large 10m roller doors would also allow additional space to be opened up, if needed.
There would also be a mezzanine floor for members only to house their offices, archives and aviation library.
Members want to have this all locked up and all the doors on by the end of August, Moore said.
