The Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre has reopened, however parts of the building remain closed while earthquake assessments are carried out.
Rotorua Lakes Council chief financial officer Thomas Colle said the centre reopened last Monday after temporary earthquake strengthening work was completed.
However the Concert Chamber remains closed while a detailed seismic assessment of that part of the building is carried out.
Mr Colle said the council decided to take a conservative approach in having the work done, and closing the centre meant it was able to be done quickly.
The Fenton St centre was closed last month for about two weeks.
"Regardless of the temporary strengthening work that was done, the chamber would have needed to close to enable the detailed assessment to be done."
Mr Colle said staff helped organisers of events scheduled in the chamber to make alternative arrangements.
"The length of the chamber closure will depend on the outcome of the detailed seismic assessment, which is the first part of developing a plan for earthquake strengthening.
"The council will have a better idea of what needs to be done and the impact of that when it receives the report on that detailed assessment."
The Concert Chamber was part of the original 1938 centre and was incorporated into the current building during its redevelopment in the mid-1990s. The chamber is a Category One heritage building so the council is working with Heritage New Zealand regarding the assessments.
The proposed upgrade of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre was part of consultation on the 2017/18 Annual Plan and as a result of feedback received the council decided there was a need for further consultation with key stakeholders on the case to upgrade the centre.
The council will then make a decision on the outcomes and direction for the project.
A budget of $1 million has been allocated in the 2017/18 financial year to undertake the work with stakeholders and depending on the council's decision, to complete detailed design and potentially start construction.
It's envisaged earthquake strengthening would be done at the same time, Mr Colle said.