Extras from a "wish list" may be added to the Oamaru Opera House redevelopment now all the initial funding for the $9.7 million project has been raised by the Waitaki District Council.
The fund-raising was topped off on July 22 when Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker presented the council with a cheque for $3.735 million from the New Zealand Lottery Board's significant projects fund.
Now, opera house project manager Stephen Halliwell is suggesting the council looks at adding extras to the works programme, which would ensure "a finished facility capable of delivering the community objectives we set out to achieve".
When the council finalised its plans for the restoration and redevelopment of the opera house, it ended up with a $150,000 list of extra items it would like, but were not absolutely necessary.
"Many decisions were made to set aside non-essential items," Mr Halliwell said.
Now funding for the original project had been met, he suggested consideration could be given to adding some of the items left out of the original plan.
For example, 12 of 29 winches, which cost about $20,000 each, were being installed as part of the original contract.
Other items which could also be added included renovating the Oamaru stone on the north and south facades of the building, refurbishing the former Oamaru borough council chambers furniture and landscaping the street frontage.
Recent experience indicated there could be grants available which could pay for those additional items.
Overall, the project remains on schedule, due for completion in October.
That would be followed by "shake-down" performances, with an official opening in February in the form of a festival.
The council is seeking volunteers to help on a day-to-day basis once the opera house opens.
Opera house director Richard McWha said 80 information packs had already been distributed to potential volunteers, who would help with administration, in the box office and fund-raising projects, including usher and front-of-hall duties.
Already, advance bookings are being received, including for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Oamaru Performing Arts, the Oamaru Victorian Heritage celebrations, Oamaru Operatic Society, Dunedin Male Choir, New Zealand Stroke Support Conference and Deerstalkers Association.
Even the New Zealand National Party has booked the venue.
