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Post by shorty on Jul 19, 2014 8:31:08 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 19, 2014 11:02:06 GMT 12
Fantastic!
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Post by beagle on Jul 19, 2014 12:41:30 GMT 12
yes, looks good, hopefully funding can be found sooner to keep all the precious aircraft under cover.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 19, 2014 12:57:29 GMT 12
What OAHC (or I suppose technically the 14-18 Aviation Heritage Trust?) aircraft are not under cover?
Or is the plan to house active aircraft owned by others in such a way that they can be seen when not flying or being maintained?
Sounds very promising in any case.
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Post by Brett on Jul 19, 2014 15:33:40 GMT 12
I am interested in what aircraft they expect to house, also. Presumably they are expecting the Chariots of Fire FW-190 and Spitfire, plus the Yak 9V currently being restored at JEM. Also the Reid Anson, but I thought the plan was to put this up for sale in a couple of years. There are a few trainers based in private hangars at Omaka - Tiger Moth, Stearman, Harvard. Are there any other WWII aircraft that would relocate?
The 14-18 Trust could probably populate the expansion with WWI aircraft that it has in storage / under restoration.
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Post by TS on Jul 19, 2014 16:31:33 GMT 12
Yes it is great news indeed. It will be interesting to see how they display these aircraft, if the Aviation Heritage Trust is anything to go by.  Brett they could always fill in the empty spaces with a replica lanc or two....  |
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Post by ZacYates on May 20, 2015 12:06:55 GMT 12
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Post by baz62 on May 20, 2015 12:33:36 GMT 12
That's fantastic news and hopefully a bonus with the profit from the Classic Fighters airshow at Easter. Well done to all involved as look what has been achieved with the WW1 exhibits. Look forward to the WW2 one!
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Post by ErrolC on May 20, 2015 12:36:20 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 20, 2015 13:13:08 GMT 12
Great news indeed.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 20, 2015 13:15:31 GMT 12
Government grant backs Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre expansionALAN WOOD Last updated 12:45, May 20 2015  Waynne Williams
Prime Minister John Key addresses the Trenz 2015 tourism conference in Rotorua on Wednesday.Prime Minister John Key has confirmed that the Government funded Tourism Growth Partnership (TGP) will grant $1.5m to support a new exhibition Marlborough's Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. "That funding is being matched to the tune of nearly $14m by the centre", Key said. Key told tourism delegates at the Trenz 2015 tourism conference in Rotorua that the funding would allow the centre to expand, increasing its display space by a third to incorporate a major new World War 2 aviation hangar that could also be used for conventions and exhibitions. The new space will complement a display of Sir Peter Jackson's collection of World War 1 aircraft and memorabilia. Omaka centre chief executive Jane Orphan said the centre would match the Government's $1.5m of funding dollar for dollar but was also providing many millions of dollars worth of World War 2 aircraft including a Hawker Hurricane and Avro Anson. Destination Marlborough general manager Tracy Johnston said the heritage centre already had a reputation for delivering a quality visitor experience. The TGP would also commit $350,000 to a Rotorua spa and wellness project, to be developed on Rotorua's lakefront, Key said. Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said Trenz would return to Rotorua in 2016 and be held on May 10-13. www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/68704406/Government-grant-backs-Omaka-Aviation-Heritage-Centre-expansion
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Post by ZacYates on May 20, 2015 13:27:44 GMT 12
That 190 diorama concept's spectacular.
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Post by ZacYates on May 21, 2015 8:19:43 GMT 12
"That funding is being matched to the tune of nearly $14m by the centre", Key said. I don't know quite where the PM got that figure, in today's Marlborough Express article the numbers are a little lower: www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/68697085/government-backs-omaka-aviation-heritage-centre-expansionGovernment backs Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre expansion Work is set to begin on the long-awaited expansion to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim following a government grant of $1.5 million. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre chairman Brian Greenall said the funding meant they could break ground within the next 10 days. The new exhibition, which was expected to open mid-2016, would focus on World War II and feature aircraft and memorabilia from the conflict. "We have the building consent and we were intending on starting in March, but the grant took longer than we expected to come through. The exhibition is something we've been working towards for a long time, and the funding means we can start building right away, fit it out and open it to the public," he said. Prime Minister John Key announced the grant on Wednesday as part of the Government's Tourism Growth Partnership fund. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre trustee Graham Orphan said they were hugely excited by the news, but there was still a way to go before they could open the doors of the new exhibition next year. "There is a hell of a lot of work to be done - an intimidating amount of work actually - but we have our sleeves rolled up and are ready to get on with it," he said. The expansion has been a primary focus of fundraising and planning efforts by centre staff, with the grant coming after a year of work, Orphan said. He believed the new exhibition would see the centre become one of the finest aviation museums in the world. The government grant would be used to fit the exhibition to international standards as well as market it to overseas tourists, Greenall said. The centre had already raised the $1.58m needed to build the extension. "The $1.5 million from government is in recognition of what we have put in. Added together it's a $3 million investment," he said. Destination Marlborough general manager Tracy Johnston said the expansion would allow the centre staff to offer a new range of high value experiences to attract both leisure and corporate travellers to the province. Greenall said these would include attractions like a "between-the-wars" cafe, a flying experience in a vintage Boeing Stearman open-cockpit biplane, a romantic package including a flight and luncheon in a vintage-themed marquee and bespoke flying events. The centre could also be used as an evening function venue to further support Marlborough's appeal as a conference destination, he said. Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith and Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman both welcomed the grant. "It is fantastic to have such substantial government investment in a tourism project in the Kaikoura electorate. This centre is already one of Marlborough's leading tourist attractions," Smith said. The grant was an endorsement by government of the dedicated people behind the centre, Sowman said. The announcement comes less than two months after the highly successful Classic Fighters Airshow, which was held at the centre and attracted a record crowd. The aviation museum features the world-class Knights of the Sky Great War exhibition, displaying WWI aircraft and memorabilia owned by Sir Peter Jackson. It's recognised as an international drawcard for visitors to the region, and was part of the royal tour when Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge visited in April last year. - The Marlborough Express |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 21, 2015 8:55:45 GMT 12
The $14 million will I'm sure include the value of the exhibits planned for the new extension.
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Post by ErrolC on May 21, 2015 9:40:43 GMT 12
Presumably should be $1.4m by the Centre.
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Post by ZacYates on May 21, 2015 12:01:38 GMT 12
I figured it was a typo of some kind. Still. Wicked! I was very excited at the CF15 awards dinner to hear the funding goal had met and exceeded its goal.
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Post by planecrazy on May 21, 2015 15:21:54 GMT 12
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Post by rayo on May 21, 2015 15:49:25 GMT 12
I am interested in what aircraft they expect to house, also. Presumably they are expecting the Chariots of Fire FW-190 and Spitfire, plus the Yak 9V currently being restored at JEM. Also the Reid Anson, but I thought the plan was to put this up for sale in a couple of years. There are a few trainers based in private hangars at Omaka - Tiger Moth, Stearman, Harvard. Are there any other WWII aircraft that would relocate? The 14-18 Trust could probably populate the expansion with WWI aircraft that it has in storage / under restoration. Fabulous news and; Just Maybe some time in the futurernzaf.proboards.com/thread/21519/classic-wings-109?page=2#page=1 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 22, 2015 17:33:51 GMT 12
I have merged the two ongoing threads about the Omaka AHC's expansion plans into one thread.
NOTE: Following a complaint that has come in, I have also removed several posts that were discussing and speculating about the aircraft collection of a private individual and its future plans upon his death. Please refrain from continuing along that discussion route.
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Post by planecrazy on May 22, 2015 20:34:44 GMT 12
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