Friday, 19 September 2025

Project progresses to next stage

    1. Regions
    2. South Canterbury

    A preliminary design of the new South Canterbury Museum building. PHOTOS: NB ARCHITECTS AND DLA...
    A preliminary design of the new South Canterbury Museum building. PHOTOS: NB ARCHITECTS AND DLA ARCHITECTS
    Work is continuing to steadily progress as the $47.2m Theatre Royal and museum project prepares to enter its next stage.

    Demolition work began in July to remove the structures that were being upgraded and replaced in preparation to build the laneway and museum aspect of the project.

    A bird’s-eye of view from Barnard St, showing the full scope of the project.
    A bird’s-eye of view from Barnard St, showing the full scope of the project.
    As per the new Timaru District Council newsletter The Ghost Light, which is set to provide monthly updates on the projects progress, the three-storey dressing room block has now been fully removed.

    "You can see from the back of the building where the hallways used to run and the doors to the stage, and it shows how far below the ground level the bottom floor and stage door sat."

    A view of the laneway area, which will provide a new public space and link between the museum in...
    A view of the laneway area, which will provide a new public space and link between the museum in Barnard St, and the theatre in Stafford St.
    A project to remove mould and asbestos from inside the auditorium area has been completed but it has left big gaps in the auditorium floor, highlighting the issue that it was built almost straight on to a dirt floor.

    The newsletter also revealed that Heritage NZ had endorsed a key design change to the main fly tower, which would see the stage tower roof lifted by 1.5m.

    "This adjustment will provide a safer working platform for stage riggers and improve the overall functionality of the theatre, all while respecting the building’s historic character."

    A new artist impression view of the front of the Theatre Royal with the laneway entrance.
    A new artist impression view of the front of the Theatre Royal with the laneway entrance.
    The project currently still remains on time and budget and with preliminary designs for both the theatre and museum now complete, the site and civil works have been submitted for building consent and tender.

    There is said to be strong interest from local and regional contractors.

    Timaru Courier