Hamilton to rationalise theatres from three to one

A review of Hamilton’s theatre assets has been concluded, with Hamilton City Council adopting a plan to rationalise its theatre operations from three to one.

The Council has now asked management to explore the potential exit of the Clarence Street Theatre operation, having already gifted The Meteor to the One Victoria Trust.

Explaining the move, Hamilton City Council General Manager of Events and Economic Development Sean Murray stated that the Council endorsed a staff recommendation for it to work with Creative Waikato to develop a proposal for new management and ownership of Clarence Street Theatre, and report back to Council with an appropriate recommendation no later than 27th November 2014.

Murray stated "we would prefer to sell the theatre as ‘going concern’, to an organisation or individual which will continue to operate it as a performing arts venue.

"The other outcomes of the Theatres Review are the gifting of The Meteor theatre to the One Victoria Trust, which was completed in January, and the recommendation Council consider renewal of Founders Theatre and other long-term theatre developments as part of Council’s 10-Year Plan and 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy," Mr Murray says.

A report and recommendation on Riverlea Theatre will come back to the council meeting on 25th September 2014.

Murray says the report to Council concludes the Theatres Review project, which began in 2012, and was undertaken independently by The Stafford Group, with significant and lengthy consultation with interested parties across the city and the region.

Image shows the Clarence Street Theatre, Hamilton. Courtesy of the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ).