By CATHY ARONSON
HAMILTON - The $8 million Academy of Performing Arts in Hamilton has been completed debt-free.
The academy, overlooking the Waikato University lake, will be used by the university and the community.
When it opens in March it will bring music, dance, drama and Maori performing arts together under one roof.
The academy has a 350-seat music auditorium, a 170-seat drama theatre known as the Playhouse, a 100-seat dance studio and a large room for Maori performing arts.
The Waikato University foundation has raised the full $8 million from more than 500 benefactors and 670 contributors over three years since the academy's conception.
The foundation was short by $700,000 until WEL Energy Trust footed the remainder of the bill yesterday, buying the naming rights for 17 years.
The trust had already given the academy $1 million for the music auditorium's naming rights.
The Hamilton City Council gave $2 million and signed an agreement with the university giving community groups 47 per cent access to the academy.
Foundation director Tony Bretherton said the academy would be world-class and the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
"It will be an injection of enthusiasm for the performing arts community.
"It will bring town and gown closer together."
Mr Bretherton said arts groups already booked for next year included Chamber Music New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
A music and drama studio, office extension, lecture theatre and practice studios were also planned, but this would depend on funding.
Mr Bretherton said the foundation would consider a fundraising campaign in 2004.
The university has yet to announce its financial contribution, which could add extra touches to the academy or cover changes to the university such as extra car-parking.
Academy starts with clean slate
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