Museum plans for school hall

A school hall devastated by severe flooding could see new life as a memorabilia museum in Bulls.

Kopane School hall was rendered useless after floodwaters knocked it two metres off its foundation piles in 2004, ruining the kitchen, electrical work and rimu woodwork.

Serial collector Dean Arnett said he bought the old hall to be refurbished as a museum, which could house hundreds of treasures he has collected from garage sales.

Builders were due to transport the old hall to storage overnight.

A multi-purpose room will fill the empty space at Kopane School.

Principal Neal Duff said the development would cater for sports games, assemblies and community meetings.

The Education Ministry granted $224,935 for the hall's replacement, expected to be opened next year.

Mr Arnett hoped to launch his museum in Bridge St in six months, if council permits are granted.

Once open, visitors would see an eclectic mix of artefacts, from planes to antique chainsaws.

Mr Arnett is devising a name that incorporates the "bull" marketing campaign. Imagina-bull is on the cards, but he is open to suggestions. A garage sale last week raised funds for the museum. Treasure hunters swamped the sale from 7am to 6pm, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News