Engineering experts have successfully determined the method for relocating a massive salmon statue in Rakaia, New Zealand, for an extensive $300,000 renovation project. The 39-foot-tall, 1.6-ton fiberglass sculpture will be lifted by crane using a specially designed hook system and transported by truck to undergo comprehensive repairs.
Ashburton District Council's community and open spaces manager Toni Durham announced that the salmon statue will be removed before Christmas for major restoration work, though specific dates are still being finalized. "There are still a few logistics to be sorted out," Durham explained, noting the complexity of moving such a large artistic installation.
Original sculptor Phil Price, who won the renovation contract, conducted an on-site inspection last week to ensure the statue was ready for removal. Price had originally built the salmon with an internal fitting system that allows it to be lifted with a hook, and he confirmed last Thursday that the mechanism remains in working order after years of outdoor exposure.
The removal process will involve using a crane to hook the statue, cutting it from its steel support structure, and carefully lowering it onto a specialized transport truck. The sculpture will then be transported to Price's studio in Christchurch, where the detailed restoration work will take place over several months.
Durham emphasized the technical challenges involved in the project, explaining that Price needs to construct a special rotating cradle for the fish to rest on during repairs. "The size of the sculpture makes it fairly tricky to maneuver," she said. "Once it's on the back of the truck, it will have a quick stop-off in Hornby for sandblasting before Price and his team begin the refurbishment at his studio."
The project has received significant community support, with several local businesses offering services at reduced rates or free of charge. Ashburton Crane will provide lifting services at a discount, while Tarbotton Land & Civil has volunteered to transport the statue without charge. EA Networks also contributed by providing a cherry picker at a reduced rate for Price's inspection work.
City councillors approved spending up to $297,000 from the Reserves Contribution Reserve for the refurbishment during their final meeting of the previous term on October 1. The vote passed with a 6-3 margin, and former mayor Neil Brown had voiced his support for the project, though he did not participate in the final vote.
Price's winning bid of $215,000 was initially based on completing the restoration work on-site. However, he expressed concerns about the quality of outdoor work compared to the controlled environment of his professional studio. The decision to relocate the statue to his workshop will ensure better working conditions and higher-quality results.
At Price's studio, the salmon will undergo comprehensive repairs to both its interior wooden skeleton and exterior fiberglass shell. The restoration process will conclude with meticulous hand-painting, with each scale being individually painted over a six-week period. The final step will involve applying a clear UV-resistant seal to protect the artwork from weather damage and ensure its longevity for future generations.
