Tony Morgan walks into Uxbridge Creative Centre theatre and likes what he doesn't see.
"If you take that and that out," the centre manager points to the walls, "we can then have a proper fanned auditorium of 300 seats. We could probably widen the stage, too, but essentially preserve the building while building a dedicated theatre."
The centre has been chasing this dream for years. Before its demise, Manukau City Council put the $5 million to $6 million redevelopment in its Long Term Plan, and the Auckland Council has picked it up.
The Howick Local Board Plan states: "A priority for the board is extending and upgrading Uxbridge Arts Centre, integrating the surrounding area and facilities to create an easily accessible Howick community and arts precinct. The inclusion of a 500-seat performing arts theatre will also be considered."
But Mr Morgan thinks that's too big an ask. "A 500-seat theatre is a commercial proposition," he says, and points out that council and independent research suggests a 300-seat theatre would fit the community's need.
He's worried the money allocated to Uxbridge's redevelopment in the council's Long Term Plan will be used for building the bigger theatre.
"The whole concept of a 500-seat theatre becomes something that needs careful investigation," says Mr Morgan. "Surely, the Uxbridge Arts Centre project must proceed independently of any new, unevaluated proposal?"
Howick Local Board chairman Michael Williams doesn't agree. "What I see is a bigger version and a better version than what Uxbridge is wanting. It's better for them, for the community, for heritage and ... it delivers us a town hall."
He says it is the local board that is responsible for ensuring that "ratepayers' money is best spent on the type of facility that not only suits the few hundred people who are involved in Uxbridge but suits the whole community".
East Auckland's growing ethnic communities hold big cultural events but often have to cross the harbour bridge for a venue that can accommodate them.
"All the functionalities that Uxbridge want can be provided, except that they are a little bit scared of taking this further. But now that Howick is 130,000 people, we do need to have a bigger precinct. We have a bigger vision for our community - not just for European people but for ethnic communities as well," Mr Williams says.
Uxbridge's fear that the project may not push through this July seems well-founded, as Mr Williams explains half the funds will arrive this financial year and the other half next year.
"It's not specified in the plan exactly when it will start but we need to get on to it.
"What we can't afford is to do is to rush it and get it wrong. You don't spend $5 to $6 million and get it wrong," he says.
Mr Williams says no decision has been made but the Uxbridge Centre will be consulted.
Howick Town Hall?
Howick had a town hall in Picton St that was demolished in 1969. It was never replaced.
"Part of my thinking is Howick has 130,000 people but Howick doesn't have a town hall," says Mr Williams. "We're the fifth largest urban area in New Zealand after Hamilton. The cost of providing it is not much more than what we're going to spend anyway on Uxbridge Centre."
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