Progress on Our Temporary Site

21st July 2008

Work commenced on the temporary home for the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia in Commonwealth Park, Canberra ACT.

The site, in the yard of the former caretaker's cottage, is intended to be the home for the NBPCA for up to five years; after which it will move to a permanent site as part of the Canberra International Arboretum and Gardens which is now being developed on the western side of Lake Burley Griffin.

Work is expected to be finished in time for the opening of Floriade 2008 in mid September and then the opening of the NBPCA on the 28th September 2008.

The area around the caretaker's cottage will be a construction site for a number of weeks so you are requested not to enter or go near the site.

Photos will be taken from a safe distance and posted from time to time, so as the saying goes watch this space.

  NBPCA temporary home - work started.

24th July 2008

The NBPCA site has now been completely cleared of unwanted material, levelled and back filled with road base to give a firm footing for paving and the display pillars for the bonsai. Two concrete slabs have been laid, one for the entrance and another for the "back of house" area where bonsai not on display can be worked on.

Some existing drainage has been repaired and upgraded to ensure excess water can escape easily.

A large tree, an ornamental pear, has had the lower branches removed. The canopy of this tree will extend through the meshed roof and provide some shade in summer.

Work is progressing well and on schedule.

  Compound cleared

14^th August 2008

Work has progressed well during the last couple of weeks at the NBPCA site.

Carpenters have been very busy and the frames for the entrance and walls have been constructed and the display benching is well underway.  The roof beams are in place over the entrance way and the entire display area.

Construction of the entrance

The biggest happening during the last two weeks was the digging and moving to Canberra of two large Japanese black pine. These had been in the ground at Dorothy Koreshoffs since 1964 and were shaped over the years by both Dorothy and her late husband Vita.

Removal of pines

The two pines are now proudly in the ground in their new home and are doing well. The area around them has been mulched and a new pathway connects existing paths to the entrance to the collection.

Pines stand proudly at the entrance

  Entrance concrete slab laid

  Inner tree lower branches removed

28^th August 2008.

During the last two weeks the display benching has been finished and stained, cement bases for the stand alone display pillars have been placed in their position and paving has been installed for the walk ways.  The entrance, walls and roofing are largely finished but with still a few jobs to do.

Cypress pine (Callitris) battens are being installed horizontally on the walls of the Bonsai Pavilion and will give an interesting effect to view the bonsai against. These battens will naturally darken over time to a silver grey.

Entrance nearing completion