Theatre response

J Dekker (Waikato Times letters, July 25) raised questions over the site of the city’s new theatre.

After the closure of Founders Theatre in March

2016, Hamilton City Council carried out extensive public consultation on whether Founders should be refurbished, or a new theatre should be built.

There was a clear indication from those supporting a new build that a central city site, providing a connection to the river, forming a creative precinct linking with the river plan and central city plan, was highly desirable.

Momentum Waikato made a submission to the council as part of this consultation, and was subsequently granted the opportunity to lead the project. Momentum’s architect, Jasmax, examined

25 potential sites and subsequently uncovered a preferred site where a generous donor willing to gift a $6m site to the project. This location – the Hamilton Hotel site – was revealed to the council and public in July 2017.

It ticks all the urban regeneration boxes, is in the central city and clever design provides river connections. Momentum has considered the feedback from the public and the council since and believes the design will overcome the concerns expressed.

These aspects and this process have been made very clear by the council and Momentum Waikato on many occasions over the past year – and this has included extensive reporting in the Waikato Times.

Sean Murray, general manager venues, tourism and major events, Hamilton City Council