Heritage group hopes discovery could save theatre
Monday, 22 April 2024
A heritage group hopes a recent discovery could save Timaru’s Majestic Theatre from demolition.
Urban design expert Nigel Gilkison, a member of Majestic Timaru, a group recently formed to save the building, said the theatre could house the country’s oldest purpose built picture theatre. The historically significant information had only just come to light.
“The Lyceum, Timaru’s earliest cinema was built in 1911,” Gilkison said.
“The assumption was that when the Majestic was built in 1929, the Lyceum came down.”
However, Gilkison said shops fronting onto Stafford St were demolished, as was an arcade leading to the Lyceum at the back, but the Lyceum was retained, extended and refurbished with seating for 1200 people.
“The Lyceum is still there forming the main auditorium of the Majestic which would make it the oldest cinema in the country.
“That accolade is currently held by the Victoria Theatre in Devonport which opened on October 26, 1912, 15 months after the Lyceum.
“It is still difficult to say definitively it (the Lyceum) is the oldest; there could be others out there.”
Gilkison said he had heard from several people that the original screen on the Lyceum’s back wall was still in the building, as well as other historical items.
“I’ve just sent an email to the mayor and council CEO asking if they would hold off demolishing the building until a proper heritage assessment could be done,” he said.
It is the second direct approach Gilkison has made to the council, in an effort to save the building. In October, Gilkison was told there was no will to intervene to prevent the demolition by Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen.
Timaru District Holdings Ltd (TDHL), the Timaru District Council’s financial company, bought the building in 2018, and last year received council approval to demolish the Majestic Theatre and smaller buildings from 101 to 107 Stafford St.
The demolition, which had been expected to start early this year, had been delayed by the discovery of asbestos in the Majestic building.
At the time of announcing their plans for the site, TDHL chief executive Frazer Munro said the buildings were not of heritage value, nor heritage listed.
A temporary grass area was being proposed for the site in a step to revitalise southern Stafford St.
Gilkison said although the Majestic was not on the council’s district plan heritage list, nor on the Heritage NZ schedule, a pause should be made for a heritage expert to investigate the building.
He also wanted to know the cost of demolishing and removing the remains, which he believed would be considerable. The cost is still unknown.
TDHL gave Thompson access to view buildings on the periphery of the Majestic, but not inside the former picture theatre.
At the end of January, Thompson said he had been advised by TDHL to let them know a suitable time to view the building.
“I’ve not heard since. That was before Christmas. I’ll go back to them and ask when it’s possible to look through the theatre. I’ll make an offer, probably.”
Asked why Thompson was not given access, Munro said TDHL had found asbestos issues.
He said it was still hoped they could demolish the building “in the first part of this year”, but it was not too late for the decision to be reconsidered.
He confirmed a detailed earthquake risk assessment of the building had not been undertaken.
Last week, Munro said asbestos removal contractors had been working in the theatre for two weeks.
“When the contractors finish, we’re open for options.”
Gilkison believed the building had the potential to become a cinema museum with memorabilia.
“Various parties are interested in the building.
“Majestic Timaru’s view is to get the Majestic re-purposed, not just saving it, but reusing it as a community asset.
“There could be a multitude of purposes to complement the Theatre Royal heritage project to create an entertainment hub in that part of town.”