The Dunedin City Council will spend $30,000 investigating the use of one of the city's theatres - most likely the Regent - as a home for a planned 600 to 800-seat mid-sized theatre.
Cr Paul Hudson suggested the move yesterday, with the resources to be used by council staff to investigate the project over the next 12 months.
Staff would talk with interested parties about the mid-sized theatre concept, as well as working with the Dunedin Opera Company on plans for the Mayfair Theatre.
Council community life general manager Graeme Hall said potential users of a mid-sized theatre - including groups from the University of Otago, schools and professional theatre - would need to be canvassed.
Cr Andrew Noone said the Regent Theatre was the likely home for a mid-sized theatre, as "no other theatre fits the bill".
A report would be brought back to a subsequent community development committee.
• The Fortune Theatre is likely to receive an extra $25,000 and "community rental" for its Stuart St building, to give the theatre the $50,000 it asked for.
Mayor Peter Chin said Creative New Zealand gave the theatre much more than the city, but the city's support showed its commitment to the arts and professional theatre.
The hearings committee approved the Fortune request, subject to final council decisions on the budget.
