Decade-long gallery project takes shape

Designed and constructed in Melbourne by modular building specialists Prebuilt, the gallery arrived a week earlier than expected.

A team of 40 workers installed the modules over two nights, with the first six placed on to the foundations on Tuesday, March 31, and the remaining five installed the following night.

After more than a decade of work to bring the Bridge Art Gallery project to life, the arrival of the modules marks a significant step towards completion.

Bridge Art Gallery secretary Lynne Gillard said it was exciting to see the building take shape.

“Magically, over two nights we've got a 700-square-metre building in place... it is so exciting,” she said.

“They opened up the door on the first night to the cafe and we said, ‘ripper! Is the coffee ready yet?’"

Over the coming weeks, builders will check all structural connections, repair any plaster damage sustained during transport and complete plumbing and electrical installation.

The team will then move on to finishing works, including the second coat of paint, flooring, doors and internal joinery.

Works on the building are expected to be completed by the end of June, with discussions under way for a soft launch in early July.

Mrs Gillard said the committee was also calling for community members who would like to get involved in the project in any capacity.

“We need all the helpers we can get,” she said.

“If anybody has any passion about this process, we would love them to come and join us (to) help us with the planning for the next steps.”

If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can email the committee at info@bridgeartproject.com.au or phone 0411 412 440.