The tragic wharf fire in 2010 will soon just be a memory with work on the replacement building underway. To capture the history of the fire, John and Glenice Gallagher have donated a painting to the Raglan Museum on Thursday. The painting by artist Robert Currie, was purchased on behalf of the Gallagher Family Trust then framed and with the inscription ‘Lest we forget.’
Mr and Mrs Gallagher, who have a bach in Raglan, said they wanted to give back to the community with a piece that depicted such a “historic moment in time”. John Gallagher presented the painting to Museum President, Dr Patrick Day. Pat said that the piece is an important feature for the museum especially after the fire had gutted the museum’s reserve collection stored on the wharf. He said “The wharf fire was a sad day for Raglan and a sad day for the museum.”
Meanwhile construction by Livingston Builders of a $1.73 million replacement for the building destroyed by fire at Raglan’s wharf has begun. The building will take 20 weeks to complete. The wharf owner the Waikato District Council is currently negotiating leases with possible tenants. Former tenant Mark Mathers, who runs Raglan Seafoods had a fish and chip shop and a smokehouse in the old building, said he was negotiating with the council over rents and space.
Richard Bax, Water & Facilities General Manager at Waikato District Council said his staff were negotiating with the original tenants over rents and the costs would be made public once agreements were signed. He added that rents would be higher to reflect the cost of the new building and current rentals in Raglan. Mr Bax said there was space for up to seven tenants and the Raglan Coastguard, had already signed up.