Hamilton residents favour creation of multi-purpose park on Founders Theatre site

Hamilton City Council has revealed that public feedback on options to replace the city’s Founders Theatre, shut since March 2016 due to health and safety concerns, favours demolishing the venue to create a multi-purpose park.

One of three options on which the Council sought feedback during October and November - the others being that the site be made into a ‘basic park’ or for something new on the site - 84% of 550 submissions backed the option to remove the theatre and create a multi-purpose park.

With plans moving forward for the 1300-seat, $74 million Waikato Regional Theatre project driven by Momentum Waikato, the Council has not looked to refurbish the Founders Theatre, instead looking at other options, all of which would retain the Dame Hilda Ross Memorial Fountain in front of the building.

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said Councillors must weigh up the future of the site carefully as they begin to pull together a draft Long-Term Plan for the city. That Plan will decided in June next year.

Mayor Southgate explained “there are big issues to consider and they include issues of affordability and practicality.

“Council doesn’t have any spare money in its back pocket so we need to think very carefully about which projects will deliver value as well as deliver on people’s aspirations for Hamilton.”

Backers of the multi-purpose park option want to see play as a key component, including construction of a new skate park and outdoor exercise equipment.

Other ideas for the site included regeneration of the space using sustainable gardening principles and using it for festivals and other activities that would appeal to younger Hamiltonians.

Submitters who favoured retaining the theatre building suggested it had historical value and should be put to new use, with proposals including converting it into a community centre, arts, music, culture or a heritage hub or town hall.

Former Hamilton Mayor Margaret Evans, on behalf of philanthropic arts group Theatre of the Impossible Trust (TOTI), has urged the Councillors to restore and repurpose Founders as an arts, culture, music and heritage hub.

Rejuvenating the building has been estimated as costing about $10 million.

It is suggested that once retrofitted, the venue could play host to an arts gallery, community offices, workshops, a town hall and a restaurant and café.

A staff report on the future of the venue, including responses to questions raised by elected members, will be presented to the Council on 8th December.

Images: Founders Theatre prior to its closure.