The next decade is crucial for ensuring heritage theatre venues in Dunedin are not lost, city councillors have been told.
The Dunedin Theatre Network — representing the owners of the Playhouse and Mayfair theatres and Athenaeum building — is seeking $100,000 from the Dunedin City Council to refine designs and costings for redevelopment of the three venues.
Project chairwoman Helen Scott said at an annual plan hearing yesterday the network had been talking to professional theatre operators about its concept.
There was strong agreement discussion needed to move forward.
It had been five years since the professional Fortune Theatre had closed.
In the meantime, venues in the city had continued to deteriorate.
The network suggested the council should be a cornerstone investor for capital work expected to total more than $38million across the three venues.
Council investment, if it were to be approved, was expected to help the venues secure other funding.
"We’ve taken things as far as we can on our own," Ms Scott said.
The council set aside $17.1 million in its 2021-31 long-term plan for development of a mid-sized theatre, but agreement has not been established about how the money should be spent.
The network proposed setting up a memorandum of understanding with the council.
Athenaeum building owner Lawrie Forbes said the network was not seeking a capital commitment in the 2023-24 annual plan.
