‘Game over’: Councillor says reduced budget makes Theatre Royal project a sure thing

Thursday, 1 May 2025

Councillor Stacey Scott during the Timaru District Council’s public workshop session on Tuesday afternoon.

There was a round of applause as the latest cost estimates for Timaru’s controversial Theatre Royal redevelopment were revealed at a council workshop this week, with confirmation even more savings could be made.

The long-running project has been, at times, contentious, with budget blowouts and proposals to build new elsewhere or scrap the project altogether. Having started as a $4.5m project in 2017, cost estimates peaked at more than $57m before the project was halted and a scaled-back plan settled on.

That was in July. In October, councillors agreed to sign off on $29.2m. However, the latest estimates put the project well below that, at $23.4m.

It has also been a long production in the making as the theatre has been closed, for safety reasons, since November 2019.

At Tuesday’s workshop, which was attended by members of the public, project manager Paul Haggath laid out an updated plan for the Theatre Royal and new museum, saying all costs were down on previous estimates.

The Timaru District Council shares new drawings for the plan to redevelop Timaru's Theatre Royal at a public workshop on April 29.

“There are ways to simplify and to provide a set of facilities and equipment which are commensurate with the needs of the theatre and the operational plan,’’ he said.

When councillor Stacey Scott sought clarification that the figures meant a $7m saving on the last one she had seen, she was told that was correct.

When councillors agreed to go ahead with the project in October, they stipulated it would have to be completed for $24m and any further funds would have to be approved.

Scott said based on that decision, chief executive Nigel Trainor already had delegated authority to start the project.

“He can get cracking, game over.’’

“That’s my interpretation,’’ Haggath replied.

A site layout of the Theatre and new museum presented at a Timaru District council workshop on Tuesday.

Scott’s comments drew a round of applause from members of the community in attendance.

However, Trainor pointed out the figures did not include any contingency fund which would be required once work started.

Haggath said the plan had “reasonably generous allowances, square metre allowances, for the new build areas because they were much easier to plan’’.

On Wednesday, former South Canterbury Drama League president Chris Thomas said he attended the workshop and it was first time he had seen the new plans.

“It doesn’t look to be significantly different from an earlier plan,’’ he said.

A front and side view of the Theatre Royal plan, showing the laneway to the side.

“On the face of it, it looks pretty much as we were expecting.’’

He felt Haggath had covered what was required in the redevelopment and there had been “opportunities for considerable savings’’ and he had provided a good plan.

Thomas said there was considerable appetite from the theatre community to fundraise for the project.

Figures show the biggest cost would be the refurbishment of the Theatre Royal at $7.8m. That included work on the main auditorium and seating, the restoration of historic features, and the lowering of the stage.

The structural design and seismic upgrade of the building, including the auditorium, fly tower strengthening and a new floor slab, was expected to cost $2.7m, while the specialist fitout and equipment was $1.8m.

Paul Cooper and Paul Haggath, at the centre table, present plans for the Theatre Royal and Aorangi Stadium at Tuesday’s public workshop.

Haggath said those figures were “all inclusive’’ and took into account construction, consent and design fees.

The back-of-house replacement at $3.7m was “significantly cheaper’’ than previous plans, he said.

It was also smaller, at about 450m². The previous design had it about 660m², he said.

It would cost about $200,000 to demolish the back of house.

The stage dock and wing extension was listed at $2m, while the first stage of a laneway, which would provide truck access, pedestrian areas, and retaining walls is expected to cost $1.8m.

The northern extension to the building, which would offer improved access, toilets and a hospitality area, is costed at $2.9m.

Pointing out the Theatre’s stage house and the auditorium, Haggath said most of the strengthening and seismic work would be done in the stage house and auditorium.

He said the council had tried to “rationalise and simplify the work’’ of the previous plan.

He said local contractors would be used for the demolition of the back of the Criterion which was expected to cost $500,000.

The public gallery at the Timaru District Council’s workshop on Tuesday.

He said the museum build had an allowance of $10.2m, plus $3m for the fitout.

The budget for the entire project was $47.2m, but Haggath estimated it would cost $38.6m which gave $8.6m of contingency funds.

“I’m happy we’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the design to a point that really works within the budgets.’’

Scott said further cost savings should be looked at so Trainor could get on with the project.

“Do we need two function rooms and two bars, I would suggest not.”

Haggath said there were still savings to be made.

He then presented three options for reducing the scope of the project. The first would convert the upper level to a terrace with a potential saving of $400,000.

The second, which removed the upper floor hospitality and toilet extension, could save up to $750,000.

The third option, the removal of the ground and upper floor lounges and the toilet extension, had a potential saving of $1.8m.

The project would be up for discussion again at Tuesday’s full council meeting.