Founders Theatre could be a green space

Founders Theatre could be bowled and turned into a community park complete with an open air amphitheatre, walkways and spaces covered by canopies.

The vision for the site where the mothballed theatre sits, soaking up $130,000 of ratepayer money each year, was revealed in a briefing to Hamilton City Council’s elected members yesterday by venues, tourism and major events general manager Sean Murray.

It was one of three possible options Murray presented for the councillors to mull over, in anticipation of a more formal discussion and decision at a council meeting in April.

The other two paths the council could take with the site was to demolish the theatre and turn the land into a grassy continuation of the neighbouring park land. This minimalist option would cost about $800,000.

The third option was to retain the building, which is in dire need of earthquake strengthening, for use as some kind of town hall, community house, children’s museum or other use – a decision that would cost upwards of $12 million. And, as Murray told the assembled councillors, in the four years since the theatre was suddenly and unceremoniously closed no one had come up with a firm proposal or a viable business case for the future use of the building. The plan to develop the site into a community space was estimated to cost around $1m to $2m. It was probable the Dame Hilda Ross Memorial Fountain outside the building would be retained, and vestiges of the old theatre, such as the Hinuera stonework inside the foyer.

Following the April meeting the council will embark on the consultation process with neighbouring businesses, residents and other affected parties before coming to a final decision on the site.