Whanganui’s Repertory Theatre still waiting to buy building from council for $1

A bank is leaning against the theatre building at 4 Ridgway St. Photo / Mike Tweed

Documents are ready for the sale of Whanganui’s Repertory Theatre but a slow-moving problem stands in the way of the deal.

In 2024, Whanganui District Council agreed to sell the building to the theatre’s trust for $1. However, a bank in Pukenamu Queen’s Park that is pressing against the building had to be stabilised first.

The council set aside $200,000 for a retaining wall in the 2025-26 financial year.

An April report from council projects manager Trish Taylor-Pope said that after tenders closed, the construction cost was about $500,000 more than the approved budget.

“A business case is currently being completed to present options to be considered, including seeking additional funding to complete the project,” the report said.

Council chief strategy officer Sarah O’Hagan said the bank stabilisation was “a long-standing body of work”, carried out in partnership with the theatre.

“Like any project, having now received pricing, we are considering the options to move forward to ensure any investment is good value for money for the community,” she said.

“We will continue to work with the theatre and the elected council on the best way forward.

“Risks have not changed in relation to bank stability.”

In a bid to minimise rates, during the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan (LTP) process, council officers recommended demolishing the building, estimated to cost $170,000.

The Repertory Theatre's trust is ready to sign a $1 purchase agreement with Whanganui District Council but the deal hinges on the completion of a retaining wall behind the building. Photo / Mike Tweed

An alternative motion during LTP deliberations from then Whanganui Deputy Mayor Helen Craig and councillor Michael Law, offering the building to the theatre for $1, was approved unanimously.

At the time, Craig said the building was old and past its use-by date “in modern terms” but it had been well-used by the theatre for a long time.

“We are not just kicking an asset down the road. We are putting it in very capable hands,” she said.

Repertory has rented the building, one of the oldest in Whanganui, from the council for more than 90 years.

Trust president Mark Morton said the council seemed committed to the stabilisation project.

“They’ve gone back out to the market with a more detailed plan,” he said.

“Both sets of lawyers have done all the work they need to do [for the sale] and they’re happy with the documents.

“But we are never going to take it over while the bank’s not done because it’s leaning on the side of the building.”

Morton said demolition “would have been a disaster” because the theatre was thriving.

Its Repertory Academy of Performing Arts (Rapa) programme had 60 children enrolled, he said.

“Around 80% of the lead roles in school plays went to our pupils.

“Rapa has been a really positive thing for the theatre. It generates so much energy and parent involvement.

“Every single day of the week, there is somebody doing something in there.”

The building at 4 Ridgway St was constructed in 1882 and served as the city’s original library.

The front was recently painted with support from the council’s Heritage Grant Fund.

Auditions for Repertory’s next production, Beauty and the Beast, are at the theatre from 10am on May 16.

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.