Asked yesterday if the society held had any worries the "Muni" might no longer be available, putting at risk a show costing about $250,000 to stage, he said: "We were quite comfortable, because of the amount of work through the years, that it would still be able to be used."
Most of the cast of about 36 are now rehearsing three nights a week, with announcements on the roles expected in the near future. The oldest section of the theatre, opened in 1938 to replace the original structure destroyed in the Hawke's Bay Earthquake, has been rated at 80 per cent of the new building standard, while the new entry foyer and the Pan Pac Foyer, built in 1996, ticked every box at 100 per cent.
The clean bill for the Napier theatre comes as a relief to the Napier City Council and users, although theatre client manager Ian Reid says he does not think anyone raised any concerns, which might have been expected after problems at the Hawke's Bay Opera House - still closed and awaiting estimates for the cost of restrengthening.
Council chief executive Wayne Jack said after receiving the report from Strata Group Consulting Engineers: "We are delighted the building has come back with such a strong result. Our patrons and clients can be assured previous strengthening work done on the Municipal Theatre has ensured it is a safe venue."
The work included a full site walkover, a review of plans of the existing structures, seismic modelling, and reporting on the building strength relative to the new standard, to identify potential structural vulnerability and predict the building's current seismic capacity.
Meanwhile, the Hastings District Council expects the Opera House to be closed until at least late next year for restrengthening, although its plaza is still available for functions and food caterers in the complex continue to operate.