08 July 2010
Waipa District Councillors have ratified a bold new design concept for a proposed multi-million dollar museum and theatre complex in Te Awamutu.
The concept, unveiled for the first time today in the Te Awamutu Courier, won the approval of councillors at the June council meeting. It followed a recommendation from a community-based steering group chaired by former district councillor, Alan Empson and including representatives from Waikato-Tainui, local iwi, arts groups and others.
In ratifying the concept, council has given the green light for the concept to be more widely discussed with the wider community. A final decision on whether or not the project will go ahead will be made as part of the process for finalising the 2012 10-year plan.
The proposal for a purpose-built museum and theatre complex was included in Council’s 10-year plan in 2009. The project, estimated at $14.2 million, will showcase local heritage and culture and provide space for performing and visual arts. It would be built on a Council-owned site opposite the existing Te Awamutu events centre, adjacent to Selwyn Park.
Space currently occupied by the museum in Bank St would be vacated and allow the existing Te Awamutu library to expand.
For the project to proceed, the community will be required to raise a minimum of one-third of the total cost.
The concept was designed by Christchurch-based architects, Warren and Mahoney following a design competition involving five of New Zealand’s top architectural firms. The firm has designed a number of award-winning buildings including Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre, the Christchurch Town Hall and the University of Waikato WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts.
Councillor Michael Cox, who represents council on the 27-strong steering group said it had been a “privilege” to work with the other stakeholders. All were “hugely positive” about the contribution the museum and theatre complex concept would make to Te Awamutu, the district and the wider region long-term.
“The complex is designed to tell the stories of both our Maori and European past. Currently, more than 12,000 people a year already visit our museum, many from out of town. I would expect this number to triple when the complex is completed,” Mr Cox said.
“The theatre will be a draw card for a full range of national musical events, theatre presentations and will double as a conference centre. The benefits for the Te Awamutu community at large will be significant.”
“We now have to raise the money and get community support to bring this concept to reality and minimise the impact on ratepayers. I look forward to playing my part in that process over the next five years.”
Mr Cox said a professional fund-raising strategy would be developed and launched. Support was likely to be sought from the Government which last week announced a $6 million funding package for a new museum project in Napier, he said.
Waipa District Council chief executive Garry Dyet said the decision on whether or not the museum would be built would depend on the degree of support the proposal had from the wider Waipa community and whether the “significant” external funding required could be secured.
At the June Council meeting, Mr Dyet was directed by council to develop a strategy which looked at fundraising options for a number of significant community projects contained within the council’s 10-year plan, including the proposed Te Awamutu museum and theatre complex. The funding strategy would be developed by December.
Members of the Steering Group are:
Alan Empson (Chairperson)
Alan Livingston – Mayor
Michael Cox – Waipa District Councillor
Graham Jull – Waipa District Councillor – Te Awamutu Museum Trust Board
Garry Dyet – CE Waipa District Council
Jan White – Project Manager
Max Ward – Te Awamutu Light Operatic Society
Chris Smith – President Chamber of Commerce
Colin Windleborn – Waipa District Council
Phillip Woods – Te Awamutu Music Federation
Glenda Barclay – Te Awamutu Little Theatre/Te Awamutu Competitions Society
Dean Taylor – Te Awamutu Community Board
Robyn Taylor – Backstage Pass
Keith Storey – Te Awamutu Historical Society
Annie Fullerton – Rosetown Choristers & Heritage Council
Lynne Stone – Practising Artists
Kataraina Hodge – Raukawa Trust Board
Miriam Gage – Competition Society
Shane Te Ruki – Representative Te Arikinui Kiingi Tuheitia
Les Matthews – Architect
Gordon Hassett – klud’up
Karen Sanderson – Architect
Rovina Maniapoto-Anderson – Iwi Consultative Committee
Jenny Charman – Ngati Apakura
Gareth Duncan – Principals Association
Bentham Ohia – CEO Te Wananga o Aotearoa
Tiwha Bell – Ngati Maniapoto Maori Trust Board
Warren and Mahoney
Warren and Mahoney has more than 55 years design experience. The firm has designed a number of award-winning buildings including Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre, the Christchurch Town Hall, and the University of Waikato WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts. It also designed the New Zealand Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo.
The firm has considerable experience in museum design, providing services to both Auckland’s Museum and Art Gallery, designing the Te Atairangikaahu Museum in Ngaruawahia and the War Memorial Museum in Waiouru. It has won more than 60 national industry awards.
Warren and Mahoney partnered with Hamilton-based firm AECOM to put forward their entry for the Te Awamutu Museum and Theatre Complex.
For more information, please contact:
Jeanette Tyrrell
Ph: 07 872 0097 or 027 293 8679
Email: jeanette.tyrrell@waipadc.govt.nz