As the October 16 fundraising ‘‘deadline'' approaches, the total raised stands at $451,000, and the Friends are making a final push to raise the remaining $49,000.
Friends of the Globe chairwoman Dr Rosemary Beresford and committee members Keith Scott and Brian Byas are delighted with the support the project has received from trusts, funding agencies and the public.
‘‘At this stage, we have just about come to the end of our options in terms of grants and funding organisations, so now we are calling on the public to help us get over the final hurdle,'' Dr Beresford said.
Mr Scott said many people had fond memories of being involved with the Globe Theatre over the years and had returned to help.
"This theatre is an intrinsic part of the social fabric of the city,'' he said.
A $10,000 grant received last week from the Callis Charitable Trust has been added to grants and donations of more than $65,000 from organisations, individuals and one›off fundraising events, and $15,000 from box›office profits.
In addition, the Globe has received pledges from funding organisations including $143,000 from the Lottery World War 1 Commemorations, Environment and Heritage Committee, $75,000 from the Otago Community Trust, $58,485 from the Stout Trust, $30,000 from the Lion Foundation, $25,000 from the Harry Wilson Trust, $18,353 from the Alexander MacMillan Trust, $10,000 from the AAW Jones Charitable Trust, $5000 from the Southern Trust, and $2000 from the DCC Heritage Trust.
Having come so close to the target, the Friends of the Globe felt "quite confident'' the redevelopment would go ahead and had made contact with Amalgamated Builders Ltd to get the work under way, Dr Beresford said.
It was likely the theatre would be vacated in December and the redevelopment project would take about six months to complete, she said.
The urgent need to redevelop the Globe Theatre was highlighted by a condition report released in February 2013 by Queenstown-based heritage architects Jackie Gillies and Associates. The report highlighted significant problems with the condition of the theatre and the adjoining historical William Mason house.
These included the theatre's leaky roof and water damage, walls in poor condition, a large magnolia tree damaging the structure, floors damaged by decay and borer, and the need to upgrade paths and fire safety.
The Friends of the Globe will host a fundraising Globe Garden Fair and open day at the theatre, in London St, on Saturday, October 18, from 11am to 3pm.
People can also make donations to the redevelopment fund by buying seat plaques or a theatre"‘ghost'', or by visiting the Globe's crowd-funding site www.givealittle.co.nz/org/globetheatre
