SAM build into last six months

SMILES ALL ROUND... SAM project manager, Greater Shepparton City Council, Thomas Lyle, director infrastructure, Greater Shepparton City Council, Phil Hoare, and project manager, Kane Constructions, Brandon Finucane. Photo: Struan Jones.

THE new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) remains on track to be completed by the end of the year, despite delays expected in sourcing some materials as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The five-storey building housing the museum, visitor centre, and the Kaiela Art Gallery and Studio is now approaching the end of the build, with the majority of the façade and most of the concrete works completed.

Speaking on-site last week, director Infrastructure at Greater Shepparton City Council, Phil Hoare, said, “It’s really exciting to see some of these components go in that are going to be a feature of SAM. You get a feel for what the atrium is going to look like.”

The central atrium feature staircase has been installed and will eventually be clad with timber, while the western atrium feature staircase has been installed with balustrades to follow.

“The two staircases are starting to take shape and you can see what it’s going to look like when you walk into the building, which is really exciting,” Mr Hoare said.

Of primary concern is sourcing glazing from China, due to be installed within six weeks, with delays expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we’re going really well and we’re on track to have the building completed later this year, there are some components that are still subject to potential delays due to the pandemic,” Mr Hoare said.

While no date has been set, an official opening is expected in the first half of 2021.

“Over the next month or two, with the external completed and the art hill and the glazing coming in, I think people will really start to see the building change shape and will be able to appreciate it for what it is,” Mr Hoare said.