The amount fundraised for a $2.5 million building being planned by Ashburton Aviation Museum members has soared to $1.1m.
Members got a cash injection of $150,000 grant from The Lion Foundation last month.
Now they are planning a free open day at the Ashburton Airport to show the building plans to the community.
It is on today.
Building committee chair Owen Moore said in 18 months, members and the community had raised just over $1m.
And additional funding would allow the build to begin.
‘‘We just need to get a little bit more, and we will be building,’’ Moore said.
‘‘We are hopeful that might come through early December, which will allow us to get on and do some building … lock in prices.’’
Members plan to construct a new building between the facility’s two existing display hangars.
Moore said it would not only provide an additional display area, but also a community function room which would be available for hire for meetings or large functions.
Large 10m roller doors would 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, considered one of the best in New Zealand.
The open day would showcase the facilities, which are visited by about 6000 people a year, and the build plans.
Those who had donated would get an invitation, and it was open to the public.
‘‘We will talk to them about what we are doing,’’ he said.
‘‘If they want to come along, see what we’re doing and where we’re at, they can feel free to come.’’
Moore said funds raised so far were a reflection of the generosity of the people in the district.
‘‘It just shows how supportive the people of Ashburton are,’’ he said.
‘‘We are pretty pleased with where we are at and for the support that we have got from the people of Mid Canterbury and further afar.
‘‘Hopefully we’ll have some work going on out there before Christmas.’’
• Ashburton Aviation Museum open day today from 10am to 4pm, at the Ashburton Airport.
