Quake grant for cinema

Nelson’s landmark State Cinema building has received a $59,000 grant to strengthen its streetfront parapet. The grant is from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage EQUIP fund. Director of State Cinemas Mark Christensen said it would help to pay for a steel truss to ensure the parapet, above Stefano’s pizzeria, would not fall during an earthquake. He said the State Cinema building, built in 1936, had been progressively earthquake strengthened over the past five years. The adjoining State Chambers building, which contains six smaller theatres, would also be strengthened, bringing the complex up to more than 70 per cent of the national building standard.