DCC approves funding for Regent Theatre upgrade

The Dunedin City Council yesterday approved the Regent Theatre upgrade, as news came that a $50,000 grant had taken fundraising to $1.65 million.

A report to the council meeting said the Otago Theatre Trust was close enough to its $2 million funding target for the council to approve the project.

Last May, the trust asked the council to help fund what it described as an urgent $6.8 million upgrade, and the council agreed to fund almost $4.8 million if the trust raised $2 million.

A report from council community life general manager Graeme Hall said a funding request to the Lottery Grants Board for $750,000, which would take the funding total to $2.35 million, could not be gained until both building and resource consents had been obtained.

Because the trust was close to its target, approving the upgrade would give it the chance to receive that funding.

There was little debate on the matter, after the council heard the rise in GST to 15%, and an expected rise in the price of steel of 15%, would increase the project's cost if there were any delay.

Cr Kate Wilson moved the council commend the trust, and thank all the benefactors, and that, and a recommendation to approve the upgrade, was passed unanimously.

 

 

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