The first job has been advertised for Cromwell’s new multimillion-dollar town hall, set to open next year, with Central Otago District Council now recruiting a venue director to lead the facility.

Council spokesperson David Scoones said the appointment process marked an exciting step as the long-anticipated project began to look beyond its construction phase toward operation.

“This is the first of a variety of roles who will have the exciting task of running this hall for our community and visitors,” he said. 

“[This is] nearly 20 years of planning all coming together.”

While the venue wasn’t expected to open until winter 2026, the successful candidate could begin earlier, helping to shape how the facility would operate.

“Prior to opening the role will be important in understanding all aspects of the facility and how it operates,” David said.

The position was full-time and would oversee a team that could include permanent, part-time and casual staff, depending on bookings and events. 

David didn’t offer specific details when asked about the remuneration for the role, but said: “The position will be competitively remunerated based on the skills of the successful applicant”.

The ideal candidate would bring more than a decade of experience in facility or asset management, preferably in a civic, community or public-use setting, according to the council’s job advertisement.

David said there had already been a diverse range of interest in the job.

Meanwhile, the council had also begun seeking commercial operators for the cinema and café planned for the building.

The Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre project is budgeted at $45.8M - a significant increase from the $31.5M initially allocated in the 2021-31 Central Otago District Council long-term plan. 

The project includes a 400-seat auditorium, a 40-seat cinema, a museum, a cafe, and flexible meeting and entertaining spaces.

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