New lease on life for Victoria Theatre
Thursday November 12, 2009
By North Shore City
New lease on life for Victoria Theatre
Historic Victoria Theatre in Devonport can look forward to a vibrant future following approval by North Shore City Council for its lease to the Victoria Theatre Trust Board.
The 33 year lease, which is subject to confirmation by the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA), will see the Trust take over the management, restoration, maintenance and operation of the building, to develop a cinema and performing arts space.
Chair of the Strategy and Finance Committee, Grant Gillon says negotiations began with the Trust in August after their successful tender for the building in June.
“This is a very positive accomplishment for North Shore City because the Victoria Theatre has the potential to be an important arts and cultural facility for our residents, with significant benefits for economic development and the creative industries in the region.
“The Victoria Theatre Trust Board, led by Paul Martin, has put considerable effort into its plans for the building and we look forward to seeing the fruits of the work unfolding,” he says.
Victoria Theatre has been in council ownership since August 2006, when it was purchased with the intention of leasing it to a third party. It was subsequently recognised by the NZ Historic Places Trust as a Category One heritage building.
Chair of the Community Services and Parks Committee, Tony Holman says its heritage status has made finding the right people to care for the building especially important.
“I think it is wonderful that the future of this building is now secured and that we have a group taking care of the building that is committed to restoring it to its former glory.
“A long term lease means the Trust will have security well into the future and is of course contingent on all aspects of the lease requirements being met, such as community objectives, restoration plan, maintenance and adherence to the requirements of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust,” he says.
Chair of the Victoria Theatre Trust Board, Paul Martin says the Trust is pleased to receive the news that North Shore City Council has ratified the agreed lease for Victoria Theatre.
“Negotiations with council for the lease were thorough and proceeded in a very positive fashion. The trust is excited about the opportunity that it now has to deliver upon its vision for the theatre and to make a positive contribution to the community.”
ENDS
Background information
The North Shore City Council bought Victoria Theatre in August 2006 at a cost of $1.55m following a comprehensive consultation process with the community.
A tender process was initiated in 2006/07, with council entering negotiations with Lighthouse Cinema (Petone) Ltd after its proposal to develop Victoria Theatre into an art-house cinema and cafe. Those negotiations ceased however, when Lighthouse Cinema withdrew, citing the restrictions on the building.
The building is registered as a category one heritage building with the Historic Places Trust.
The tendering process was reopened in 2007/08 and the Victoria Theatre Trust was eventually successful in their tender. The lease agreement with the Trust has recently been reached and will go ahead subject to confirmation from the Auckland Transition Agency.
Contacts:
Councillor Grant Gillon, Chair Strategy and Finance, North Shore City Council, phone: 09 486 8600 09 486 8600 ext. 8749 or 027 476 4679 027 476 4679, email: Grant.Gillon@northshorecity.govt.nz
Councillor Tony Holman, Chair Community Services and Parks Committee, North Shore City Council, phone: 09 489 8600 09 489 8600 ext 8675 or email: Tony.HolmanQSO@northshorecity.govt.nz
Lisa Tocker, Manager Community Liaison, North Shore City Council, phone: 09 486 8600 09 486 8600 ext 8595 or email: lisa.tocker@northshorecity.govt.nz
Olivia Starrenburg, Communications Advisor – Community Services, North Shore City Council, phone: 09 486 8600 09 486 8600 ext. 8749 or 027 241 3165 027 241 3165, email: olivia.starrenburg@northshorecity.govt.nz