Group asks TDC council to meeting

Elected members will have an opportunity explain the rationale behind a decision to defer a $7 million upgrade of Timaru’s Theatre Royal, following concerns raised by the performing arts community.

The South Canterbury Drama League has invited Timaru District councillors, including the mayor, to a public meeting to discuss the decision on May 8.

Drama League president Kevin Foley said the meeting would allow an opportunity for councillors to hear issues and concerns raised by the community.

Foley said the concerns included a lack of information provided about the decision, uncertainty about future shows, and fears the building could face possible closure because of further health and safety risks. ‘‘Because it’s very important to us,’’ Foley said.

In March, the council deferred the $7m work which included replacing the auditorium floor, seating, stage, the theatrical flying system, and demolishing buildings to the rear.

Councillors decided a project of such magnitude should be considered alongside significant projects in the 2018 Long Term Plan review. Health and safety issues had prompted the council to put restrictions on the stage’s theatrical flying system, which forced some companies to condense shows and stopped others coming to the town at all.

Foley said the drama league had received calls from people using the theatre who were concerned about the facility’s future and how that might impact them. The information behind the decision provided to the drama league, by the council, was ‘‘not great’’, he said.

One concern raised was that the Theatre Royal could face a similar fate to that of the Founders Theatre in Hamilton, which was closed due to health and safety concerns last year, he said.

Foley, however, was most concerned about ’’pencilled-in’’ bookings for its junior shows and its major show next September, because there was no certainty.

Kimble Henderson, director of theatre company Aidan Theatre, said she started her own company with the aim of establishing professional theatre in Timaru. ’’But that depends on what the council do, really,’’ Henderson said.

She felt the ‘‘out-of-date’’ facility and restrictions meant she could not bring people from the North Island for shows and work. ‘‘And that’s frustrating,’’ she said.

Councillor Dave Jack said he had been approached by members of the public regarding the decision. ’’Once I explained to people our thoughts, as far as council goes, there is a form of understanding,’’ Jack said.

He supported the theatre and the benefits it provided to the community. ‘‘It’s a fantastic venue.’’ However, it was about making the right decision at a time the council was thinking about other significant work, Jack said.

Council corporate services group manager Tina Rogers said about $800,000 had been allocated to various work associated with the building in the 2015-25 Long Term Plan. However, most of that was allocated for replacement seating. ‘‘The flying system issues were identified as part of a review.’’

That included a number of heath and safety concerns.

‘‘However, it is not possible to rule out that the theatre will not be closed in the future as all risks are continuously reviewed and assessed.’’

The upgrade would be considered as part of the 2018 Long Term Plan, which would be consulted on with the public in early 2018.