Landmark Alexandra building to be future-proofed
The Alexandra Community Centre is about to receive a $1.3 million upgrade.
Next week (from 7 August) the Central Otago District Council will begin a stage upgrade and earthquake strengthening project at the Skird Street centre. The complex is made up of two connected buildings, the Alexandra Memorial Theatre, community hall and Alexandra Senior Citizens rooms.
A project to upgrade the theatre’s stage equipment to meet current user standards and health and safety requirements has been extended to include earthquake strengthening of the entire building to 67% of the New Building Standard. The upgrade will also include the building’s fire and accessibility to meet current building standards, and an external three-phase power point connection for an emergency generator.
Listed as a community Civil Defence Centre in the emergency response plan for Alexandra, the building needs to be earthquake strengthened and to a higher standard. Combining the two work streams of stage upgrade and earthquake strengthening, and other associated building compliance, provided cost savings and maximum potential for external funding, Central Otago Property Officer Tara Bates said.
“The purpose of the project is to ensure that the Alexandra Memorial Theatre is up to standard in terms of current user and safety standards, and to provide a fit for purpose community Civil Defence centre in case of an emergency.”
The total project cost is $1,350,000 with about $350,000 funded through grants from Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust and Lotteries, and around $585,000 from the Government Better Off Funding scheme.
Breen Construction was awarded the contract after a competitive tender process and is already setting up to undertake the work. The project will be completed in two stages so that both hall and theatre are not closed at the same time. Work on the hall will be carried out between 7 August and November and then work will start on theatre, finishing around March 2024.
During the duration of the project some car parks will be fenced off behind the building off Thompson Street and the car park may be temporarily closed for short periods for craneage work.
CODC Group Manager - Community Experience said the project would future-proof the post WWII theatre that had been at the heart of Alexandra for more than six decades.
"It is our largest venue for shows and orchestras, and along with the community centre provides an excellent, central venue for the community for all kinds of events. We thank the community in advance for their patience while we get it all up to scratch."
