Len Lye centre given the all clear

LATEST: It has been confirmed, The Len Lye Centre which is to be created in New Plymouth by the end of 2015.

Last night there was a big talk with council councillors which have voted to underwrite $750,000 which is needed to give Len Lye the all clear.

The underwrite means if the Len Lye Centre Trust fails to raise the funds from outside sources the council will ultimately go into debt to pay for it.

"I am delighted with the decision to proceed" Len Lye chairman Lance Girling-Butcher told the Taranaki Daily News.

"It's exactly what we wanted. We just have to have the guts to do the job. I think people are going to be blown away by the final result."

NPDC project manager Jim Willson also cleared up confusion around the funding figures and clarified that work on the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery would need to be done regardless of whether the Len Lye Centre went ahead.

"We will do everything in our power to raise this money."

EXCLUSIVE TALK @ INFONEWS.CO.NZ

During the 3 hour meeting every councillor spoke passionately about the pros and cons of helping to fund the centre including Alessandra Keighley, a radio station community laison officer for Access Radio Taranaki.

She spoke with infonews.co.nz exclusivly and said she is happy with the outcome.

"It will bring good things to Taranaki" 

Meanwhile a New Plymouth resident we spoke to Chris said "So the council throws another $750k at this project, will it ever end? The ratepayers have made it clear they don't want to pay for it and the council really has no mandate for such spend any more." 

Kirsty told infonews.co.nz "No surprise there - so predictable. What a bunch of muppets!!! Once again ratepayers will be left with the bill" 

"What a waste of money.people are loosing there jobs left right and centre, and our council decides to waste large amounts our money on this centre that won't bring no money back to New Plymouth." said Simon. 

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark has said she will help out aswell.