Christchurch reveals plans for Town Hall and Performing Arts Precinct

Christchurch City Council is sharing information on its Town Hall conservation project and its plans for the development of a new Performing Arts Precinct.

Warren and Mahoney Managing Director Peter Marshall and Holmes Consulting Group Structural Engineer John Hare will give short presentations about the Town Hall. Council staff will also be on hand to answer residents' questions about the Town Hall and the wider Performing Arts Precinct.

Christchurch City Council General Manager Community Services Michael Aitken says the Town Hall and wider Performing Arts Precinct will be an important part of the city's rebuild and the Council is committed to keeping residents well informed about developments.

Aitken stated "although the Town Hall stood up well in the earthquakes ... engineers will be significantly strengthening it ensuring it can be enjoyed for many years to come.

"(And) although plans for the new Performing Arts Precinct are still in their very early stages, (it will be) one of the city's exciting new anchor projects."

Community Committee Chair Yani Johanson adds "the Town Hall and Performing Arts Precinct are important civic and cultural public spaces for our city.

"As such, it is important that the Council is open and transparent around these key projects and engages widely with our citizens about the repair, refurbishment, and redevelopment."

In August, the Council agreed to restore the Town Hall in its entirety as part of a new Performing Arts Precinct. This included retaining the auditorium, entrance foyer, James Hay Theatre and the Limes Room and rebuilding Boaters and the Cambridge Room. It also confirmed the Council-led Performing Arts Precinct should include new homes for the Court Theatre, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Music Centre, along with the restored Isaac Theatre Royal. The new facilities will be built in the area south of Armagh Street.

The Council is currently talking to VBase, which manages the Town Hall on behalf of the Council, Town Hall users and architects Warren and Mahoney to look at how the Town Hall can be improved to better meet users' needs during the four-year conservation project.

It has also been working with Sheppard and Rout Architects and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) to develop concept designs for the new Performing Arts Precinct. It is currently discussing these plans with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the Court Theatre, Isaac Theatre Royal and the Music Centre.

The Council is inviting residents to learn more about the Town Hall conservation project and the development of a new Performing Arts Precinct at a drop-in session today (Wednesday 27th) November.

The Council has budgeted a total of $158 million for the Performing Arts Precinct, including the restoration of the Town Hall.

For more information go to www.ccc.govt.nz/townhallperformingarts

1st September 2013 - CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL AGREES TOWN HALL RESTORATION

31st July 2012 - LEISURE VENUES AND OPEN SPACE AT THE HEART OF A NEW CHRISTCHURCH

27th April 2012 - NEW CHRISTCHURCH CONVENTION CENTRE A 'TOP PRIORITY'

1st July 2011 - NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR VBASE