The Partner Programme incorporates many significant community projects within the Rotorua District. It is made up of a growing number of partners that are putting up their hands to be seen as leaders and contributors to this communities future well being.
The most recently finished project;
Energy Events Centre
The most prominent project in the District over the last 10 years has to have been the Energy Events Centre - a $28m facility located adjacent to the Sportsdrome in Rotorua's Government Gardens.
Now managed by Event Venues. Rotorua District council acknowledges the support and co-operation of the inaugural Rotorua Partners - the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, and Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust in making this project a reality.
Bookings have far outstripped all original targets, the local economy has been given a huge boost, and the complex has already gained an enviable reputation as one of the country’s pre-eminent conference, exhibition, sports and entertainment venues.
For just the first ten and a half months of business (mid February to the end of December 2007) 83 major events will have been confirmed or hosted at the Energy Events Centre, with still more bookings expected before the year is up. This is already 361% ahead of original projections for the first 12 months. Delegate and attendee numbers are ahead of projections by 249%, meaning by Christmas this year a staggering 70,000 mostly out-of-town people will have been in the city to attend conferences and events at the complex. Noteworthy is the fact that most of this business would have gone to other main centres if the ambitious Energy Events Centre had not been built.
Rotorua Museum Centennial Project
Nearly 100 years after opening the Rotorua Bath House, now home to Rotorua Museum remains uncompleted.
Although it stands as one of New Zealand’s most iconic heritage buildings, significant features of the original plans are missing. When the Bath House opened in 1908 the building was only partially constructed. As a result of funding shortages, the extreme northern wing and most of the southern wing were not built.
The Rotorua Museum Centennial Project will complete the Bath House building to its original proposed specifications and provide greatly enhanced museum facilities. The new museum features will include a resource and research facility, two new galleries for temporary and short term exhibitions, a children’s discovery centre, a re-developed Tarawera Gallery and an expanded Te Arawa Gallery.
The fundraising efforts for the project are being driven by the Rotorua Museum Centennial Trust. The Trust was established in 2006 and has since progressed significantly towards the $19.45 million target
Check out the Project website at: Rotorua Museum Centennial Project
Civic Theatre Stage Redevelopment
Originally the 'Regent' movie theatre, built in 1940 and coverted around 1970, the Civic Theatre Stage and backstage area has had very little done to it since. Although it remains a fine Theatre forward of the procenium arch, the theatre is now in need of major redevelopment of its stagehouse to bring it up to acceptable performance and safety standards.
Backstage facilities are arguably among the worst in New Zealand.
Design is well underway, with significant input from highly regarded theatre design team, Shand Shelton. Extensive value engineering has been completed and the project budget is expected around $6m. The construction period is will take approximately 12 months and is proposed to be from July 2009 to June 2010.
The Civic Theatre Working Party, Chaired by Jo-Anne La Grouw, are leading the projects fund raising initiatives, including the launch of an exclusive 'Circle Club' enabling the truely theatrical the opportunity to participate in the project in a more meaningful way, followed by a more community orientated '500 Club'.
For further information, check out Events & Venues website at: www.eventvenues.co.nz
Other projects include;
- Rotorua Lakefront redevelopment
- Rotorua Public Library exspansion