Wellington's town hall to stay
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Wellington Town Hall will undergo $43.7 million of strengthening - despite suggestions from some it may be time to question the century old building's future.
City councillors have this morning voted emphatically in favour of retaining the building.
Any suggestion to knock down the building was 'dumb, dumb, dumb', Justin Lester said.
The unanimous vote saw the council adopt the earthquake strengthening programme for ratepayer-owned buildings over the next few years, including for years of work on the town hall costing $43.7m. Along with money already spent on planning and design, the full budget for the building comes to about $46m.
Today's debate follows suggestions from some that the future of the town hall may need to be rethought.
Property Council president Ian Cassels called the town hall a 'white elephant', saying it was unacceptable to throw money its way yet again.
Meanwhile, council chief executive Kevin Lavery asked councillors to think carefully about its future. While careful to say he was not suggesting bowling the building, he said spending a budgeted $43.7 million on the building was 'an awful lot of money for zero return', when the city was crying out for a purpose-built convention centre.
Engineers have assessed the building as meeting just 20 to 25 per cent of new building standards. Anything under 33 per cent is deemed earthquake-prone.
Today councillors spoke passionately about the importance of the town hall to Wellington.
'This is a beautiful and historic building. A building that is the symbol of our city,' Iona Pannett said.
The council had to show leadership by strengthening its own buildings, given it was asking other private building owners to do the same, she said.
Many councillors said there was never any doubt the building would be retained and strengthened.
'The whole thing has been a storm in a teacup because I don't think anyone would consider demolishing the town hall,' Stephanie Cook said.
However, councillors did accept an amendment from deputy mayor Ian McKinnon asking officers to look at ways the town hall can be 'enhanced for the economic benefit of the city'.
Mr McKinnon said Mr Lavery had raised a valid point about the building's use for conventions and conferences, and it was important to see if it could be enhanced in that area.
Simon Marsh agreed. The sentimental value of the building meant it had to be retained, but that did not mean it could not be improved, he said.
'Perhaps we can improve it and give ourselves an opportunity to do something a little bit different.'
'A CULTURAL INVESTMENT'
Advocates of demolishing Wellington Town Hall have been labelled 'cultural miscreants' by a leading conductor, who says Australia 'would kill' for such a venue.
Orchestra Wellington music director Marc Taddei said yesterday that those discussing its demolition were woefully dismissive of its real value.
'The question is more than just the new chief executive saying, 'You're not going to get a return on your money' - $43 million is a lot, but it's an investment in our cultural heritage.
'From time to time you do get these cultural miscreants who believe you can make more money by tearing something down.'
The hall, built in the Viennese shoebox design - it's twice as long as it is wide - had acoustics among the world's best, he said.
When the New York Philharmonic Orchestra visited in the late 1960s, acclaimed American composer Leonard Bernstein called it one of the world's greatest halls.
'I can tell you hand on heart that Australia would kill to have even one of these venues,' Taddei said.
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra chief executive Christopher Blake agreed the hall provided an 'exceptional acoustic environment'.
The hall is listed as a category 1 building on the Historic Places Trust register, but this does not provide protection from demolition.
However, central region general manager Ann Neill said the trust would advocate for its retention.
'There is high public appreciation for it, evidenced by the outcry over its proposed demolition in the 1970s and 1980s, and by the continued affection held for it by Wellingtonians.'
The town hall, which seats 1600 in its main auditorium, pulls in about $5m annually. It hosted 250 events in 2012, including 30 conferences.
WHERE IT'S ALL HAPPENING
What's in the town hall:
The mayor's office and council chambers, the Ilott theatre, an Edwardian organ, the council's security control room, six conference rooms, two kitchens and six dressing rooms, along with the main auditorium.
By the numbers:
- $43.7 million to strengthen the Civic Square heritage building
- 250 events held there last year
- $5 million in annual revenue
- 200 council staff who work in the hall and the adjoining Municipal Office Building
WINDS OF CHANGE
1900: Wellington City Council sets aside land for new town hall and runs design competition.
1901: Duke of York (later King George V) lays foundation stone for building designed by local architect Joshua Charlesworth.
1904: Town hall finished at a cost of £68,000.
1931: 50-metre clock tower over main entrance and grand portico demolished as a precaution after the Napier earthquake.
1942: Big earthquake prompts first strengthening and removal of other building details.
1983: Michael Fowler Centre opens and council drops plans to demolish the town hall after a public campaign and a report by the Historic Places Trust.