The Whanganui District Council is to spend more than $4.5 million earthquake strengthening the War Memorial Centre.
Whanganui War Memorial Centre Photo: Supplied
Opened in 1960, the centre is a celebrated example of post-war New Zealand architecture and has a Category 1 Historic Places listing.
Council property general manager Leighton Toy said with the exception of the Sarjeant Gallery it will be the last prominent council-owned building to undergo earthquake strengthening.
Mr Toy said the centre would be strengthened to 67 percent of the new building standard.
The council has budgeted $3 million for the project in its 10-Year Plan, with another $1.5 million included in the annual plans for the next two years.