Loos letting down venue
A slice of a city’s history and arts life is sliding into tatters, with its rundown toilets ruining its reputation.
The exterior of Square Edge in Palmerston North has been repainted, the ground floor has been revitalised, a new lift installed, and the former council chamber is much-loved by musicians.
But one look at the loos detracts from its charms.
Registered music teacher and Manawatu¯ institute spokeswoman Susan Mcconachy said they were an embarrassment.
She has asked the city council, which owns the building, to pay them some attention when seismic strengthening work is carried out, some time between next year and 2026.
‘‘We have international examiners coming here, and national and international presenters at seminars, and the toilets are sadly lacking.’’
Mcconachy said the Evelyn Rawlins Room was the venue of choice for music exams and competitions, and for teachers putting on recitals to give young musicians opportunities to perform. Audiences were largely women and girls, and there was only one female toilet.
Community arts facility manager Carol Leckie said the women’s toilet was in ‘‘very poor’’ condition, and the concrete-based men’s urinal appeared to be a remnant of the original 1940s building. The venue was well used, but with seating for 100 people, the toilets were inadequate.
Institute of Registered Music Teachers Manawatu¯ secretary Marise Mcneill said the building above ground level urgently needed refurbishment.
Trinity College London Manawatu¯ / Rangitı¯kei representative Heather de Ridder said 1800 exam candidates had performed there or at the Globe in the past five years.
She urged the council to protect and refurbish the Square Edge building.
De Ridder said she was embarrassed to show visiting examiners the toilets.
City council arts, culture and heritage committee chairwoman Rachel Bowen said she hoped improvements to the toilets could be carried out even before the earthquake-strengthening project went ahead.
She was concerned the loos were ‘‘the canary in the mine’’, indicating there could be more problems with the way the council was maintaining its cultural and heritage buildings.