Tomorrow is the big day for those in the arts and Whanganui residents.
The Sarjeant Gallery - also known as Te Whare o Rehua - is finally reopening after closing to the public in 2014 when it was designated as an earthquake risk meeting only 5 per cent of the building code.
It has since undergone a $70 million redevelopment.
More than half of the cost has been paid by Government grants, another 20 percent by the Whanganui District Council with the rest coming through fundraising, community grants and donations.
It has not been a straightforward process, being built in a time of inflation and Covid-19 lockdowns, as well as the nature of an old building having to be strengthened.
The building site with cranes and scaffolding has overlooked the city for five years and now it can be unveiled.
Gaye Batty is the Sarjeant redevelopment project director.
