Raetihi theatre gains historic status

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 663, 19 November 1996, Page 1

Raetihi theatre gains historic status

People who are likely to use the historic Royal Theatre in Raetihi as a town hall are urged to let the town hall committee know. Raetihi lawyer Jeremy Nash, representing the Historic Places Trust, spoke to the Waimarino Community Board at their November meeting, outlining the present situation regarding the plans to refurbish the Royal Picture Theatre building in Seddon Street as a town hall. Historic Places Trust member Dorothy Battersby told the Bulletin last week that the theatre had been classified as a Category Two Historic Place. Mr Nash told the board the building is structurally very sound. He said the trust had to ensure it was refurbished in accordance with its overall 1915 style, as well as the entrance' s 1940's art deco style, while at the same time making sure the building inside fits the needs of the communities. He said there were funds of up to $500,000 that the trust could have access to for the work. "But we have to ensure we don't create an edifice that is nOt what the community wants," he said, adding that they needed extra expertise to do that. Mr Nash said they had approached the managers of Cooks Gardens in Wanganui and the Great Lake Centre in Taupo for advice on providing a useful facility.

He showed members the plans for the repainting of the building, using a "theatrical" colour seheme in keeping with the building' s style. He said they could proceed with the painting now without compromising plans for the inside. This work would include the roof which, while it looked in a poor state, was actually very sound. Input from the community was invited on the proposed colour scheme. Mr Nash said they sought support for the raising of its historic places category to Level Two, which would help with fund-raising. Asked what sports could be accommodated in the hall, Mr Nash said it was too small for many indoor sports such as netball and basketball, but large enough for badminton and aerobics, for example. He said it could be used for theatre, reunions, miniconferences and also movies, though not in the same way as in the past as the projection box was to be removed. "We desperately need people to come forward who are likely to use the building," added town hall committee chairman Carrick Workman. "Ian Irwin made a substantial bequest so that Raetihi could have a town hall — let's carry it through," he said.