Kia Ora from the Theatre Manager
Gus speaks to a Hamilton City Council committee meeting earlier this week. Photo: Waikato Times.
Well, it's been a busy few weeks!
Construction of the Theatre proceeds apace - you'll have noticed the walls are going up to support the heritage façade, steel is scraping into the sky and the skeleton of our new state-of-the-art performing arts centre is slowly emerging from up out of the ground.
In photos peeking over the fence, you can now see the stage and seating outlined, as well as the flight of stairs in the foyer really starting to take shape. The concrete floors have all been poured and the walls are closing in the space. By the end of September, most of the structural work will be complete, which is remarkable to think about!
You may have already seen the Waikato Times story below announcing we've pushed out the Theatre’s opening date to 2025. There are a myriad of reasons for this, but it comes down to making sure that when the curtain goes up in the Theatre we are providing the best possible experience for our audiences, performers and everyone who comes through our doors.
Our Trust Chair Ross Hargood is fond of saying that when it comes to cost, quality and time, you can't choose all three. We have chosen to prioritise cost and quality and we are very confident it'll be worth the wait.
On the subject of cost, you may have read the Waikato Times article below about the Hamilton City Council's part in funding the Theatre. We are incredibly grateful for the Council's support, both through its initial investment and its commitment to the 10-year maintenance fund. We warmly thank everyone there who has had a role in enabling all this.
The Theatre is being built in part to supercharge a mature and sophisticated local arts and culture sector that is ready to go to the next level. The Council is currently in a tough spot financially, that's no secret, so I truly appreciate the unwavering support for the project.
Nevertheless, I am disappointed to see the HCC’s proposed Long-Term Plan (‘the LTP’) would greatly reduce the funding available to arts groups and facilities, as this will wash away at the city and region’s cultural foundations.
Most notably The Meteor and Clarence Street Theatre have both had their funding cut entirely, despite being essential elements of the local cultural and entertainment eco-system. No one, whether it is the NZSO or your local community arts class, can survive a sudden loss of funding. Such retreats should be staged, allowing at least a chance for the institution to transition to a new business plan, especially those driven and crewed by volunteers.
Just like any other industry, to abruptly cut income for arts organisations won't mean a few lean winters, it means they fold and the talent and expertise disperses. Chopping and changing only results in higher eventual costs to the public, as inevitably the needs and demand being met by spaces, groups and institutions will still be there and it’s always a lot harder and more expensive to start again from scratch.
I encourage you, if you feel inclined, to make a submission on the Hamilton City Council’s LTP before it closes on Sunday week, 21 April. The infrastructure for the arts, culture and entertainment is a long-term investment in the wellbeing and vibrancy of our community, the attraction of the city’s lifestyle offering and the vigour of local real world economic activity.
Theatre site from the air in March 2024
The superstructure of the Theatre is now appearing above the fence, here's what you could see in early March from up in the air. The auditorium is now clearly taking shape, with the bones of the stage and circle balcony in place. These great drone pics were taken by Cameron Neilson of Foster Group.
See more of these drone shots of the Theatre site.
When Ross met Sally
A chance meeting in Portugal last year led to a British arts supporter who has never visited New Zealand donating to the new Waikato Regional Theatre.
Ross Hargood, the Chair of the Waikato Regional Property Trust, and his wife Jane were on a holiday cruise on the Douro River (pictured below) in May 2023 when they met Sally Forrest from London.
“Sally asked me ‘what do you do’,” says Ross, “and I replied that I am retired, but am working on a new Theatre in a volunteer governance role.”
‘The Theatre project aligns perfectly with the Bayleys brand and values’
Bayleys Waikato is a Silver Sponsor of the Waikato Regional Theatre, so Rachel Waldegrave from Bayleys Hamilton and Vicki Semple and Claire Johnson from Success Realty recently visited the Theatre site to check out progress.
“As passionate locals we care about the communities in which we live and work, so we’re always looking for ways to give back individually and as a group,” says Rachel.
“The Waikato Regional Theatre is an inspiring and impressive project that will further enrich our city and our region, so we are incredibly excited to be involved. We believe that the development of this multipurpose performing arts centre will be a game-changer for the community."
Waikato Times: Waikato Regional Theatre naming rights still on the market
By Avina Vidyadharan, 11 April 2024.
In 18 months, no-one has put up their hand to get their brand on the Waikato Regional Theatre.
Theatre general manager Gus Sharp says the team is not overly worried about the naming rights situation and a local advertising boss reckons it’s still “a great opportunity”.
A $2 million donation can secure naming rights for the theatre for a decade, starting when the doors open in early to mid-2025.
Read more on Share the Stage site.
Waikato Times: Questions on Hamilton City Council’s stake in Waikato Regional Theatre financing
By Stephen Ward, 10 April 2024.
The chances of the city council having to pay more for the Waikato Regional Theatre’s construction are “very slim” but “never say never”, according to the general manager.
Gus Sharp’s comments at a briefing on Tuesday came in response to questioning about project finances at the community and natural environment committee.
Maxine van Oosten, the council’s finance and monitoring committee chairperson.
It follows news that opening night for the $80 million theatre has been pushed out to 2025, about a year later then originally planned, due to a tight market for materials and other factors.
Read more on Share the Stage site.
Waikato Times: Waikato Regional Theatre opening date pushed out to 2025 but budget still on script
By Mike Mather, 1 April 2024.
Momentum Waikato communications and marketing manager Mark Servian keeps a close eye on the sudden flurry of visible construction activity at the theatre site.
The show will go on, albeit a little later than expected.
Opening night for the $80 million Waikato Regional Theatre has been pushed out to 2025, about a year later then originally planned, due to a tight market for materials and other factors yet the budget is still going to script.
There is, however, still room for Waikato residents and businesses to take a starring role in what promises to be the jewel in the region’s cultural crown.
Read more on Share the Stage site.
Momentum Waikato Annual Report 2023: Progress behind and beyond the façade
The following is the Theatre progress report from the newly published Momentum Waikato Annual Report 2023 - see full report in PDF.
During late 2022 and early 2023 the construction of the Waikato Regional Theatre was largely hidden from public view behind the supported façade of the old Hamilton Hotel, although there was still much for project supporters to see and do away from the site.
Waikato Regional Theatre site from the south-west, December 2023. Photo: Foster Group Ltd.
Foster Group started the main earthworks for the building’s foundations in June 2022, following the demolition process that had begun the previous year. Piles and retaining walls were installed as digging progressed over the following months, creating a large and wide space well below street level.