Bid to keep theatre at old site Former Hamilton mayor David Braithwaite. Photo /File
Former Hamilton mayor David Braithwaite is fighting to save the Founders Theatre as the site for a new regional theatre rather than moving it into the CBD as planned.
Founders Theatre is in Tristam St's Boyes Park, and next door to Seddon Park. It was closed in March 2016, due to health and safety concerns and then in July 2016 the theatre was also found to be at risk in a major earthquake.
Mr Braithwaite, who was mayor from 2001 to 2004, said he was disappointed the theatre was allowed to be poorly treated in the way it had been and reach the stage of being inaccessible by the public.
Mr Braithwaite's father, Roderick Braithwaite, who was mayor of Hamilton from 1953 to 1959, played a special part in the creation of Founders.
In Roderick's diaries he wrote, "Why cannot a community raise £60,000 for a civic hall, not a dull lifeless place, but a place where citizens meet together on great occasions, a place where our civic hopes and aspirations are enshrined, a place where appear the names of those who have been great citizens, who have promoted the progress of this place, a place that will be dedicated to the giver of all good things our creator."
He assembled a group of citizens who were united in this vision, the name Founders was chosen by Roderick, with the theatre opening in the early 1960s after his mayor's term had ended.
David Braithwaite has been in discussions with Momentum Waikato - the trust working on the new Waikato Regional Theatre project, and believes the new theatre is not in a location where it would be able to hold large audiences and that the theatre location should remain at Boyes Park.
"I've had a look at that area, in the last three to four months, and I have come to the conclusion, along with other people that it would be a very difficult place to construct a theatre, and the appropriate place is where the old site is," Mr Braithwaite said.
"A small site backing onto a steep river bank is not suitable."
Mr Braithwaite has taken a full page paid advert in today's Hamilton News seeking support for his fight.
The site for the proposed new regional theatre is currently where the old Hamilton Hotel sits on Victoria St.
Mr Braithwaite believes the loss of Founders is a bad look for Hamilton.
"The fourth biggest city in the country currently doesn't haven't a theatre to host these big events."
During the August city council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to continue discussions on the proposed new theatre on September 21.
Several councillors have sympathy for Mr Braithwaite's case, and while still in support of the site of the new theatre, share concerns that the heritage of Founders should not be put aside.
Councillor Paula Southgate was excited for the impact the new theatre could have for Hamilton in the future, but wants the parking concerns raised by the public explored and some respect shown to Founders.
"I do believe that green belt of Hamilton should be something for the community to use," Ms Southgate said.
"I want to see some creative ideas on what can be done on the Founders space for the community."
Ms Southgate admits she has not seen any figures on how much work would need to be done around Founders since the original assessment was made in 2016, and could not comment on how much it would cost on redevelopment.
Currently in the new theatre's concept plans, there will be no on-site parking.
"The parking needs to be considered and further develop, making it accessible for the public."
Councillor Angela O'Leary is also in the same boat as Ms Southgate.
"I think it is important to retain some point of that building," Ms O'Leary said.
"We need to look after the history and the heritage in that area."
Ms O'Leary would like to open up the area to the community, with approaches already being made to her about a possible children's museum among other options.
"Once the building is gone, it is gone and we won't be able to do anything about that."
Ms O'Leary disagreed with the point about the lack of accessible parking at the new theatre.
"I think we need to move past the idea that you can't just drive up to the door of where you want to go.
"Waikato Stadium has no official parking yet it is able to host 20,000 people with the use of surrounding car parks."
Deputy mayor Martin Gallagher, who said he was speaking as an elected member, not the deputy mayor, said the council needs to retain an open mind.
"We must remember that is a significant part of Hamilton Heritage, and we must honour that heritage appropriately."