| 3 Stunning theatre set to inspire Proudly part of theWaikato Regional Theatre design team Architects Brand Designers Interior Designers Landscape Architects Urban Designers jasmax.com | @jasmax City-shaping, PlacemakingDesign T T Karen Phelps Waikato Regional Theatre (WRT) will help to continue the transformation of Hamilton CBD and allow the arts community in the city to flourish, says Ross Hargood, Chair of the Waikato Regional Property Trust. “Hamilton has been seen by some historically as a cultural backwater. This couldn’t be further from the truth; it has a very active arts scene and we’re an exporter of talent nationwide and internationally. “We’re hoping the WRT will really help to put Hamilton on New Zealand’s cultural map, where it deserves to be, attracting the best quality shows and events, as well as acting as “We’re hoping the WRT will really help to put Hamilton on New Zealand’s cultural map, where it deserves to be, attracting the best quality shows and events....” a springboard for local professionals to develop their skills,” he says. The project came about after the Founders Theatre, the Waikato’s flagship performance venue, was closed by its owner, the Hamilton City Council, for safety reasons in March 2016. The cost of repairing the Founders to simply reopen its doors to the public, with no significant modernisation, was then estimated at $25 million, at the limit of what the Council could reasonably afford. In response Momentum Waikato, an independently established community foundation, approached the Council and proposed the development of WRT. The preferred location, from 25 considered, was identified as the Hamilton Hotel site on the South End of Victoria Street. Site works are currently underway including demolition of existing buildings on the site. The original facade of the heritage status T Tto page 4 Hamilton Hotel is being retained - one of the more complex aspects of the project, says Ross. Construction of the theatre’s foundations is expected to start mid June. Ross says that is was important to the Trust to use local contractors and suppliers where possible to keep the economic benefit generated in the community. Foster Construction is building the theatre. The multi-purpose performing arts centre will comprise a1300-seat auditorium, with circle balconies and flexible staging, able to host drama, kapa haka, orchestral concerts, rock-pop-and-rap gigs, musicals, ballet, opera and community ceremonies. An artist’s impression of the Waikato Regional Theatre - the original facade of the heritage status Hamilton Hotel is being retained as part of the complex. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Momentum Waikato: Waikato Regional Theatre
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