Scaffolding has gone up at the Alexandra Community Centre, which is about to receive a $1.3 million upgrade starting next week (August 7), consisting of a stage upgrade and earthquake strengthening.

The landmark building in Skird Street is listed as a community Civil Defence Centre in the emergency response plan for Alexandra, but the building needs to be earthquake strengthened and brought 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 District Council 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 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 per cent 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.

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’s Better Off Funding scheme.

Breen Construction was awarded the contract after a competitive tender process. 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 work will then start on the 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 crane work.

Central Otago District Council community experience group manager David Scoones 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."