The Boer War Memorial that has stood in Baring Square East since 1903 is proposed to be relocated.
The statue that has stood watch over a number of previous upgrades of Baring Square East may not survive the latest incarnation as its current location is in the middle of the focal point of the planned $3 million upgrade and instead a relocation across to Baring Square West near the Anzac Cenotaph is being considered.
It was unveiled by mayor William Henry Collins in October 1903 to commemorate the names of the district’s soldiers lost in the South African conflict.
Almost 120 years later it might be on the move, more than the few metres it was moved in the 1978 revamp of the square.
Originally the memorial was set to stay put, but that plan changed in April, and its potential relocation is being treated as a separate project that will require resource consent and public consultation.
It is understood the New Zealand Defence Force, Ashburton RSA and descendants of the fallen soldiers will be consulted on the proposal.
As it has heritage status whether it moves or not will be determined by the resource consent process.
The statue of founding father John Grigg and the Frontiersman Memorial will remain in place, as will the arbors, informally known as the whalebones, alongside the water feature in Baring Square East.
The council approved the landscape plans for the Baring Square East project this week and the documentation is nearing completion to now go out for tender.
Landscape architect Ben Bellamy said the plans for Baring Square East “is being viewed as more of a revamp”.
The plan also focuses on “improving the directionality between the clock tower and the civic building” and also incorporating the existing water feature and the civic plaza area.
Right in the centre of the focal point currently stands the Boer War Memorial.
A new slow speed shared street will run one-way between Baring Square East and the Library and Civic Centre, providing access to the car parking.
A series of dual-purpose seating bollards, proposed to be made from Timaru Bluestone, will stop cars entering the plaza area, but are movable by forklift when it is required to open up the space for events.
Once the plans are approved and the tender awarded, it is hoped the project can be completed at the same time as the new library and civic centre – mid 2023.

• By Jonathan Leask