H W Richardson Group have applied for consent to construct a 5333 square metre art-deco style building in Invercargill to rehouse the current Bill Richardson truck museum reports The Southland Times.
Bill Richardson’s daughter, and H W Richardson group director Jocelyn O’Donnell told The Southland Times that the collection of trucks has doubled since her fathers death and it was becoming too big not to share with the community.
The development was further propelled by the purchase of a collection of rare Ford trucks from Darwin, Australia.
“When we decided to buy that, we thought the time was right to open it up to the public,” says O’Donnell. “We are not a very big family, and it was a big step for us.”
Currently more than 5000 people visit the museum in its current premises, but the new building will cater for a bigger collection of display vehicles, will have an onsite cafe, and angle parking will be provided outside the museum on Anglem St.
O’Donnell says the distinctive design of the new building was decided upon because it was in keeping with the neighbourhood where there were several art deco style homes.
She says it is hoped that construction will start in August, and hopefully the new museum will open in time for the NZ Road Transport hall of fame awards to be held in 2015.
