Big plans for Palmerston North's The Globe Theatre

Palmerston North's arts and culture scene is set for a massive boost as The Globe Theatre lines up a $1.2 million extension, including a new 100-seat auditorium and a glass-fronted cafe that will serve the revamped Te Manawa complex.

The cost estimate, well above the Palmerston North City Council's $831,000 budget, brought planning to a halt last year.

The proposal now is to seek outside grants to make up the balance of the costs for the home of the Manawatu Theatre Society. The additional fundraising means that work is unlikely to start until the beginning of 2013, both to give time to apply for other funding, and to enable the theatre to continue to operate without disruption during its traditionally busy season in the second half of the year.

Globe Theatre Trust Board Chairman Stephen Fisher said although it was disappointing the project would be delayed, the reasons for waiting were sound, stating that "we believe in hanging out for the very best facilities."

The possibility of scaling back the project to fit the budget was not favoured with Fisher telling the Manawatu Standard "we did not want second best. We could have gone for a lesser upgrade, but what would we have cut out?"

The new cafe bar aims to improve The Globe's dark and unwelcoming foyer and become an integral part of Te Manawa, providing services for visitors to the whole complex. In addition, the new flat-floor auditorium is needed because bookings for the in-demand 200-seat auditorium were often turned away.

The extra auditorium aims to provide a more flexible, intimate setting for the city's performing arts, more easily achieving "the full house" effect for performers and audiences.

The extra indoor space should also overcome the difficulties faced by set builders, who sometimes needed to work outdoors.

Fisher adds that the development has "been carefully planned so each part complements the other.

"It's a great concept and we are really excited about it."

Palmerston North City Council Property Manager John Brenkley describes the design as striking and elegant.