FROM THE NEWS DESK

Waikato Regional Council has been asked to help pay for the development of a regional theatre in Hamilton. The $72.9-million theatre has been locked into the regional council 2018-2028 longterm plan. A request has been made for a $5 million contribution to be collected from territorial authorities around the Waikato. The mayor of Hamilton Andrew King reckons it will be of benefit to the region but not all regional councillors were convinced. If it goes ahead, Hamilton City Council will pay about $25m, while other councils including Matamata-Piako may be asked to contribute $4.5m in total. Councils located further away from Hamilton would contribute a lower figure. Regional councillors in Taupo and Waikato district reported they were struggling to fund other projects more important than a theatre, such as a west coast catchment management plan. The Avantidrome at Cambridge and the FMGStadium Waikato were also pitched as regionally significant venues when built, but came under a funding cloud.

Lawrence Gullery MATAMATA CHRONICLE: (07) 888 7011 News Director: Lawrence Gullery, 027 839 6388, lawrence.gullery@stuff.co.nz ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Matt Holmes, 027 8074 632 matt.holmes@stuff.co.nz REPORTERS: Rexine Hawes, (07) 888 7011, rexine.hawes@stuff.co.nz and Mike Bain, (07) 827 3840, mike.bain@stuff.co.nz CLASSIFIEDS: lynda.mcrae@stuff.co.nz (deadline 3pm Monday) DISPLAY BOOKING DEADLINE: 3pm Thursday DIGITAL EDITION: matamatachronicle.co.nz ADDRESS: 2 Tainui St, PO Box 148, Matamata 10,425 AUDITED CIRCULATION (ABC for 12 mths to 31 Dec 15).