Founders Theatre on council agenda

The fate of Hamilton’s Founders Theatre will likely be decided by the incoming city council.

Options for the 54-year-old theatre will be debated by elected members at the council’s final meeting of the term on Thursday.

Hamilton’s premier arts venue was closed in March this year after an independent report indicated the venue’s flying system was at risk of failure.

Concerns have also been raised about the theatre’s fire curtain and the building’s seismic strength.

The building is currently rated at 15 per cent of the New Building Standard.

In a report written by council senior staffer Sean Murray, council management recommend elected members hold off making a call on the theatre’s fate until after a final decision is made on a proposed new theatre.

In July, elected members resolved to build a new $55 million theatre, with ratepayers contributing a maximum of $30m.

Under the proposal, Momentum Waikato Community Foundation would raise the balance of $25m.

A heads of agreement and a recommended concept design will be presented to the council for approval in February.

Murray said staff had investigated three options for Founders: reopening, retaining or demolishing.

‘‘Staff do not recommend any interim use or re-opening of the theatre due to the inability to obtain insurance and the cost of remedial work required,’’ Murray said.

Refurbishing Founders Theatre for another purpose is estimated to cost between $3.5m to $11.3m and could take up to 1 1/2-years to complete.

Murray said a re-constituted Founders Theatre could cannibalise business opportunities for the new theatre.