The $206 million, 27,000 square metres complex was to be built on the site of the demolished Hilgendorf building to house 700 Lincoln and AgResearch staff in an arrangement hailed as a change in the delivery of tertiary education and central to Lincoln’s future.
The two entities are now pursuing their own structures but Lincoln’s acting vice-chancellor Phil O’Callaghan hopes they will still co-operate in some form of partnership.
An option being considered is for Lincoln and AgResearch to share the site with their own structures to enable students to work alongside or observe AgResearch scientists.
The initial plan was for AgResearch to invest $80m and Lincoln $126m in the complex, viewed as a blueprint for collaborative tertiary study and to broaden education.
However, the Government, acting on Treasury advice, rejected its business case, in part because of an unspecified increase in the project’s cost, which would put pressure on Lincoln’s balance sheet, he said.
Two favourable years have allowed Lincoln to strengthen its balance sheet and O’Callaghan said it can afford a building project.
AgResearch chief executive Tom Richardson said the Crown research institute is now initiating a feasibility study into building a facility at Lincoln.
“We are evaluating all options and remain committed to the principles of a campus development strategy that enables a more seamless collaboration between students, academics, researchers and business.”
AgResearch plans to build new facilities and offices for its staff, which it can share with other researchers and partners.
“We will continue to talk to interested stakeholders about their future involvement. Our strategic plans and staff relocation intentions remain unchanged.”
