Teenaa koutou and welcome to the Waikato Regional Theatre Construction Update for August. Apologies this is a week later than usual, due to staff leave last week.
The progress to report is much like last month – earthworks are underway, heritage basement strengthening, asbestos removal and the façade retention.
Asbestos has been found in numerous locations where it has not been expected, both within and around the old Hotel building. At this point all known asbestos has been removed, but some remnants may turn up as the soil continues to be removed, so it is being treated as contaminated.
Work has continued in the basement area to ensure as much of the Hotel’s historical aesthetics can be retained as possible, this is expected to be finished in the coming month.
To the same end, the façade retention works are about 85% complete, with the expectation this will also be completed this month.
Progress on Site
July saw the achievement of the following works.
Further asbestos removal.
Jet grouting under wall near Sapper Moore-Jones Place.
Shoring of retained heritage building Level 1 slab for separation from the façade
Progress on façade retention steelwork installation.
Establishment of ground retention infrastructure.
Start of Stage 1 excavations.
Ongoing removal of contaminated soil.
Relocation of Victoria St hoardings to form new slip lane.
Progress on construction of heritage basement foundations.
Significant Events in the Next Month
The following is set to be achieved in August.
Demolition of the northern end of the Hamilton Hotel.
Completion of Stage 1 excavations.
Completion of Hotel basement foundations, including shotcreting, propping and waterproofing (note Fosters have delayed these works by two weeks due to site congestion).
Removal of asbestos contaminated soil.
Overall Programme
The project is currently tracking as per dates below.
Site set-up August – October 2021
Demolition November 2021 – July 2022
Earthworks June – September 2022
Foundations August 2022 – February 2023
Structure December 2022 – May 2023
Envelope April – August 2023
Fit-out June 2023 – April 2024
Completion May – June 2024.
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 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.