Care needed on Town Hall

One of the first actions of the present members of the Christchurch City Council after their election in 2013 was to endorse the decision of the previous council to try to save the Christchurch Town Hall. It was, at that time, a little premature. Even then, it was plain the council faced grave financial problems. It was contrary to what many in the arts community, the prime potential users of such a facility, wanted. It also jeopardised plans for a new arts precinct on the block around the Theatre Royal, with modern, purpose-built facilities better suited to the needs of actors, musicians and other performers.

Since then the council has proceeded cautiously, delaying tenders, for instance, until its financial position was clearer. It now has tenders before it giving it certainty about the commitment it would have to make. It also has a report from accounting firm Deloitte clearly favouring full restoration at a cost of $127.5 million.

The council will decide the matter at its meeting on Thursday. It is a decision as dogged with problems as it ever was.

For all its virtues as a piece of architecture from a particular period in Christchurch’s history, many parts of it were not highly regarded by those who had to use it. The acoustics of the auditorium have been universally acknowledged as world class but the space was far larger than was needed for most events in Christchurch. The James Hay Theatre had many defects for performers and audiences alike.

Abandoning the building entirely would appear not to be an option. Under its insurance policy, if the building is repaired the council could get a payout of up to $68.9m. If the building is not repaired, the payout would only be the indemnity amount of just over $32m. The council and its insurers have agreed that that is the sum available and in fact the council has already received $28m under it.

But something other than full restoration may be possible. Restoring the auditorium and the foyer alone would cost $91m.

Restoring and reconfiguring the James Hay as a venue for symphony orchestra performances and the like would cost $109m.

Both of these lower-cost options would leave more for whatever is left of the idea of the performing arts precinct. The original plans for the precinct have long since evaporated but the council is still publicly committed to spending $30.5m there. That is clearly not enough for any theatre or venue of any distinction, and probably would not be enough to lure the Court Theatre back to the centre of town. The restoration of the Theatre Royal alone cost more than $40m. An extra $20m or $30m more from a scaled-back Town Hall project would make a considerable difference to the arts precinct.

Submissions to the council on the Town Hall reinforced the fact that to many it is a muchloved architectural fixture in the city, the more valued because it is one of the few remaining from before the earthquakes. But decisions on it have to consider what is best for the long-term future of those who will use it, performers as much as audience. It is not an open and shut decision.