Christchurch’s popular coin operated dance floor returns after $45,000 upgrade

Christchurch's popular coin operated dance floor, Dance-o-Mat, has opened at its new central city site following a $45,000 rebuild and upgrade – made possible by Gap Filler, the mastermind behind the project, who launched a Boosted crowdfunding campaign earlier this year to raise $25,000 toward the revamp.

The Dance-O-Mat is part of Gap Filler’s Pae Tākaro Place of Play programme, a new three-year programme that aims to establish Ōtautahi Christchurch as a world capital of Urban Play.

The dance floor has been completely rebuilt along with upgrades to the sound system, lights,  bluetooth technology. A new washing machine and signage are also included in the revamp.

The coin-operated dance floor was located at a vacant site next to the Isaac Theatre Royal on Gloucester Street since 2014 but was relocated to 211 Manchester Street to make way for construction of the Court Theatre and Performing Arts Precinct.

Created in 2012 as a short-term experimental project, the popularity of the Dance-O-Mat with both locals and visitors led to it becoming a cherished fixture in the city.

Three hundred and fifty people donated to the Boosted crowdfunding campaign over six weeks, along with match donors from Cakes by Anna, Paddy McNaughton’s, McCarthy, F3 Design, Kendons, and Fevah Modern Jive.

Gap Filler co-founder Coralie Winn called it a public display of affection for the project and enthused “we’re thrilled that the Dance-O-Mat is back.

“We had some real challenges at the new site, but we couldn't be happier with this new iteration! We’ve had lots of comments that people have missed the Dance-O-Mat.”

The Dance-O-Mat was officially opened on Friday 19th August

It operates between 7am and 1am daily and uses an adapted ex-laundromat washing machine. Inserting a two-dollar coin activates 30 minutes of lighting and sound with music chosen from your own Bluetooth device. The floor is accessible for wheelchair users and prams.