Teenaa koutou and welcome to the Hui-tanguru February 2025 edition of the Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update.

You might have caught the recent article in the Waikato Times giving you a glimpse behind the scenes of the new Theatre (if not, you can read it on the Share the Stage site).

From the street, the impressive skeleton structure of the Fly Tower is now complete, giving an idea of the full size and scale of the Theatre. Along Victoria Street, more of the heritage façade is being enclosed as restoration work continues along that western face of the building.

Finally, the major change visible for passersby is the removal of one of the two large tower cranes that have been a feature of Hamilton’s skyline for the last couple of years.

 

Progress on site

Highlights from the last month include the following.

  • Completion of the Fly Tower structural steel.

  • Commenced installation of the panels enclosing the Fly Tower structure.

  • Completion of the first exterior wall of Hinuera stone cladding, and commenced cladding on the Sapper Moore-Jones Place side.

  • Commenced installation of the seating bleachers in the auditorium.

  • Progressed installation of internal linings and doors.

 

Significant events coming up

The following progress is expected to occur in the next month.

  • Complete enclosure of the Fly Tower.

  • Installation of the transformer.

  • Completion of the auditorium roof (only one small section to go).

  • Completion of the next wall of Hinuera stone.

  • Continuation of internal fit-out, including services, wall linings, doors etc.

The first of the two tower cranes has been taken down.

Overall Programme

The WRT’s construction programme has been updated as follows.

  • Site Set Up                                          Completed

  • Demo                                                   Completed

  • Earthworks                                         Completed

  • Foundations                                       Completed

  • Structure                                             Commenced - Due for Completion early 2025

  • Envelope                                             Commenced - Due for Completion mid 2025

  • Construction Completion              Due for Completion 2025

  • Fit out and Commissioning           Due for Completion 2025.

 

Communications

Foster Construction team email for any queries relating to this project - queries.wrt@fosters.co.nz.

 

About this Update…

These Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Updates are produced by Graeme Ward and Georgia Osman from RDT Pacific, the Theatre’s Overall Project Manager, assisted by Mark Servian from Momentum Waikato, their Communications and Marketing Manager.

These newsletter issues are posted at the website waikatoregionaltheatre.co.nz – the dedicated web address for construction news and contacts, separate from Momentum Waikato’s theatre community and fundraising site sharethestage.co.nz.