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A rearguard action has been launched to save the disused Founders Theater in Hamilton, despite the overwhelming majority of residents favoring its demolition.
City councilors gathered on Friday to hear presentations on what to do with the once-premier theater in the city.
The 58-year-old theater closed in 2016 due to health and safety concerns. Since then, the council has committed $ 25 million for a new regional theater on the site of the former Hamilton Hotel.
The Council has solicited public comment on the future of the Founders on three occasions, and the latest round of consultations showed strong support for bowling.
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The council received five hundred and five submissions, and 84 percent of the participants favored the option of eliminating the theater and creating a multipurpose park.
The option to demolish the theater and turn the site into a park was supported by 12 percent of the participants, while only three percent were in favor of retaining at least part of the 8,267-square-meter building.
Christel Yardley / Stuff
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate says a previous council had already decided not to reopen Founders as a theater (file photo).
But those who wanted to retain the Founders flocked to the council chamber to plead their case.
Former Mayor Margaret Evans, speaking on behalf of the Theater of the Impossible Trust (TOTI) philanthropic arts group, urged councilors to restore and repurpose Founders as an arts, culture, music and heritage center.
Rejuvenating the building could cost around $ 10 million, and the idea is already gaining favor with community funders, he told councilors. TOTI’s proposal includes a seismic retrofit with a “new skeleton” built to support the existing structure.
Once remodeled, Founders could house an art gallery, community offices, workshops, a city hall and a restaurant and cafeteria, Evans said.
THINGS
Former Mayor Margaret Evans is in favor of the Founders Theater being repurposed as a creative community hub (file photo).
“We’ve had so many people tell us, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an adult bar and an adult cafe, where people could come and play cards, listen to quality music, whatever, and it’s also an income ? source of income for the rest of the building, ”Evans said.
However, it takes time for TOTI to explore potential funding partners.
“We are saying that we can send you a lot more information by March [2021] when you go into your draft 10 Year Plan and then in June when you sign up for your 10 Year Plan … we’re saying we can be a part of that.
“Importantly, we need that time because we’ve talked to a variety of local donors, including major donors, and their financial year operates alongside the council, so this financial year, there is very little chance of … [getting] the kind of support we think is necessary. “
Dominico Zapata / Things
Hamilton resident Rudi du Plooy wants the city to restore the Founders Theater and is in favor of a grand reopening (file photo).
Resident Rudi du Plooy also spoke in favor of retaining the Founders, but wants it to remain a theater.
The 1,250-seat theater is an “old bird” worth saving.
“Let’s protect our heritage for a change,” urged du Plooy.
“How about restoring it and having a grand opening night with a world-class ballet production? I have the desire for a grand opening, women in long dresses, men in tuxedos. “
In response, Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said the previous council had already ruled out restoring Founders to a working theater, a point disputed by du Plooy.
“I think it would be silly to say that there is only one option.
“I heard what you are saying about previous council decisions [but] they are not cast in concrete and can tip over. “
The possibility of repeating previous decisions of the council seemed to find favor with some elected members. Councilman Ewan Wilson asked staff to clarify the legal status of previous council decisions and whether elected members have the ability to reverse them.
“In terms of the decision process, unless the council has signed a legal contract … like any incoming government, they can take a 360-degree turn,” said Councilmember Martin Gallagher.
“They are the absolute democratic authors.”
The couple Paul Oulton and Anne Cao focused their presentation on enhancing the Founders’ site with cherry blossoms. The plantations could be part of a region-wide effort to create a cherry blossom festival in Waikato.
“The images this would create would be a very powerful icon for Hamilton,” said Oulton.
A staff report on the Founders, including responses to questions posed by elected members, will be presented to the council on December 8.
