The Waikato Regional Theatre project is moving ahead in leaps and bounds. It has been a year since the Governance Panel appointed theatre design consultants Charcoalblue, and the team started working with the community to determine optimum theatre configuration, design, location and the range of expected community benefits for the new theatre. We are heartened by the community’s input, support and progress to-date.

Feasibility Study Phase completed

Working closely with the user groups and stakeholders across the community, Charcoalblue produced a feasibility study that presents a flexible lyric theatre with adaptable spaces designed for crystal clear, unamplified, acoustics. The seating can be configured to make every show you attend feel like the theatre was designed for that one purpose.

The theatre will be a destination in its own right, and will be the anchor tenant in a creative precinct enabling the co-location of other creative industries. Located on the site of the historic Hamilton Hotel - in the heart of the cultural hub of Hamilton’s CBD - the courtyards, public galleries, open spaces and cafés, will create a sense of place where people will come and gather.

Design Concept Phase started

Full funding has been secured for the Design Concept Phase, which has now kicked off. The Waikato Regional Theatre Governance Panel will continue to oversee the project to ensure the best outcomes for a world-class theatre are realised.

Charcoalblue have formed a team of local and international experts and consultants to create more detailed concepts, which will include floor plans and elevations. The team will take into consideration feedback from the public and stakeholders on the Feasibility Study.

Public Feedback on the Feasibility Report recommendations

We greatly appreciate that so many from our community took the opportunity throughout the year, either in writing or at a community feedback session in person, to learn more about the project and the people behind it, and to give us their thoughts on the Waikato Regional Theatre and the transformational impact it will have in the community.

User groups, patrons and ratepayers commented on all aspects of the recommendations, discussing topics including parking, functionality, accessibility, location, and benefits to the wider community.

The summary report can be found here if you would like to review the feedback.

Funding Partners and Community Donors

Our community is encouraged by the number of generous people who are supporting this project. We are happy to say that joining Trust Waikato, and their grant of $15 million, we have some key leadership donors on board. We will be meeting more donors in the new year to provide further information about the project and ways to support.

On 14 December Hamilton City Council will make a decision on the inclusion of the Waikato Regional Theatre in their Long Term Plan (LTP), which will then go to public consultation from March 2018.

By the end of March, Momentum Waikato will need to be confident that we have sufficient community funds and sponsorship pledged to enable the theatre to become a reality.

We know that this transformational change will only happen if donors and the community get in behind this project. If you are interested in joining us on this journey, please have a look here for more details, or contact the team on theatre@momentumwaikato.nz directly.