Garrison Hall has great potential as theatre

Over the past two years, I have followed with great interest the articles, correspondence and debate relating to the various proposals to upgrade existing, or provide additional, theatre or entertainment venues for Dunedin.

I fully support the proposal to upgrade the barely adequate backstage facilities of the Regent Theatre, as those upgrades will allow the Regent to safely and efficiently present larger and more elaborate productions than is currently possible, well into the future.

Without wishing to denigrate the efforts of those who make excellent use of the city's other smaller venues and theatres, I suggest that with Natural History New Zealand soon to vacate Garrison Hall in Dowling St, interested parties should seriously explore the option of converting this historic building back to entertainment theatre use, as it was for many years in the early 1900s.

When easily stripped of its non-loadbearing lightweight partitioning, installed over 50 years of television use, the main auditorium space measures approximately 66ft by 120ft by 50ft-plus high (66m x 36m x15m).

The main floor is new (1965), constructed on new steel frames, and sits above a large basement area containing dressing rooms, toilets and many small rooms.

The Garrison Hall main building and the adjacent building are soundly constructed and offer many options for conversion to the size and type of spaces that theatre people desire.

The buildings are totally fire protected with a most comprehensive sprinkler system, and the complex has its own heavy-duty power substation rated for extensive TV studio lighting and the associated air-conditioning systems.

Access is reasonable, with the main entry in Dowling St and two rear access points in Burlington St.

Garrison Hall's central city location, and its proximity to parking facilities and good restaurants, are a potential benefit.

As one who spent many years working in Garrison Hall, I would deeply regret the city and theatre devotees not exploring the potential of this fine old building before it slips from our grasp for ever.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that the existing Mayfair Theatre operation could relocate to the Garrison Hall buildings and enjoy much-improved facilities in a purpose-developed complex.

Lynch me if you will, but imagination and money can achieve miracles.

Dave Howell
Fairfield

- In recognition of the importance of readers' contribution to the letters page, the newspaper each week selects a Letter of the Week, with a book prize courtesy of Dunedin publisher Longacre Press.

This week's winner, Dave Howell, of Fairfield, receives a copy of Sam Mahon's My Father's Shadow, Longacre Press, $39.99.