Plane enthusiasts, it’s almost time for take-off.

That’s because Ashburton’s Aviation Museum could start building its new hangar by Christmas.

A $150,000 grant from the Lion Foundation and Braided Rivers Community Trust means the museum complex would be built sooner and would enable it to fit more aircraft and provide space for events.

Building committee chairperson Owen Moore said receiving the grant was a huge boost for the expansion project.

“It means a lot, because we’re getting to a point where we can start almost by Christmas. We’ll have enough (money) to get started.”

Over $1 million has been raised for the project, through grants, donations and fundraisers.

Moore said it would take another $500,000 to build the hangar and a further $500,000 to pretty it up.

“It’ll be a big job.”

Museum committee president Stephen Johnston said the new building would come with a food area, a purpose-built entrance and designated event spaces.

The new building would sit in the middle of the existing hangars, so people could enjoy a coffee whilst watching the action around them.

Its main function was to give the planes on display some breathing room.

“A lot of visitors come in and say, ‘oh, I can see why you need it’.”

Owen said the museum draws in crowds of all ages, from kids to grandparents.

“A lot of people turn up who have recently retired and are looking for something to do.

“People come out for the comradery of the place, for that very reason.”

There are applications “in the bank” for various other grants, and more fundraisers to come, he said.

The hangar has been planned for two and half years, so it was good to see progress being made, and how supportive the community have been, he said.

About 6000 visit the museum annually, which displays aircraft from around the world, as well as historical information on Mid Cantabrian aviators.

The museum, which this year celebrated 50 years of aviation education, is located on the Ashburton Airfield. It was used to train air force soldiers before they flew pilot bombers, and fighters and maritime aircraft during the World War Two.

By Anisha Satya