Council funding is being sought by a Wānaka trust to build a “world class” performing arts centre in Wānaka.

In a submission to the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) upcoming draft annual plan hearings, the Wānaka Arts and Culture Charitable Trust (WACT) is seeking $30M over five years with the first instalment of $6M in April 2025 and the balance at 12 month intervals through to 2029. 

The trust’s proposed concept is to build on one site a 500 seat performing arts theatre together with a smaller 120 seat rehearsal theatre/dance studio, and a visual arts gallery and foyer space to allow for functions and conferences, trust chair Michael Sidey said. 

The building would be roughly 2000m2.

The multi-purpose centre will primarily focus on the performing arts, including dance, drama, and music, but also facilitate the visual arts, film, digital media and other arts and cultural activities, Michael said. 

The portable Crystal Palace venue has been essential to the success of Wānaka’s biennial Festival of Colour.

It would also attract quality touring performances and shows into the region, and support and enable the development of the local arts community, including showcasing the cultural and artistic heritage of mana whenua. 

“Our intention is that the centre will become a cornerstone to developing a resilient culture of creativity, innovation and learning for the community with a focus on educational and vocational opportunities for our young people,” Michael said.

“It will be an active ‘home’ for the arts, enhancing the quality of life through community participation and partnership, access to arts events and enabling the growth of our creative community.” 

A community-funded $140,000 feasibility study, recently completed by Horwath HTL, determined that the conceptual performing arts venue in Wānaka is both viable and sustainable, and will serve the wider district’s communities.

“The quality of the building will attract audiences from the region and beyond extending Wanaka’s reputation as the Lakes Districts Arts centre,” Michael said.

The total build cost in today’s dollar terms is around $42M but with the project spread over five years it's anticipated the cost will escalate to $60M, the study indicated; provided the QLDC stepped up with $30M, the trust said the remaining $30M could be sourced via arts and cultural institutions and public fund-raising efforts.

“We have been pledged in excess of $3M with minimal fund raising effort to be paid in equal amounts over 10 years. This gives us confidence in our ability to raise $10M - $15M,” Michael said.

These funds will enable the trust (if the project is supported by QLDC) to employ a project manager, architect etc to ensure momentum is continued until QLDC's 1st instalment in 2025. 

The project budget doesn’t include the venue’s site; while a private benefactor might contribute land, it’s more probable that QLDC will be asked to provide a suitable greenfields site, he said.

And although a number of Wānaka sites have been suggested, Michael said no specific sites have been formally considered by the trust and neither will they be without public consultation. 

In 2021, QLDC allocated $52M in its 10 year plan plus an additional $6M for performing arts infrastructure. 

WACT was formed in 2021 and in addition to Michael the other trustees are Alistair King, Mark Verbiest, Kirsty Hazledine, Allan Dippie, Chris Hadfield and Annis Somerville. Its patron is Prue Lady Wallis. 

The draft annual plan hearings will take place in Wānaka at the Lake Wānaka Centre on May 22.

PHOTOS: Horwath HTL