The Star: March 07, 2019

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday March 7 2019 25
Town hall opening
Fanfare and ribbon-cutting marks occasion
MAYOR LIANNE Dalziel
officially reopened the
Christchurch Town Hall at noon
on Saturday, February 23.
In scenes reminiscent of when
the Warren & Mahoney designed
town hall first opened in 1972,
hundreds queued patiently along
Kilmore St as they waited to see
inside.
Ahead of the official ribboncutting,
the mayor spoke of the
town hall’s history and of the
significant work that had been
done over the past three and a
half years.
“The result is a building that
retains all its original character
and style, but is stronger and
better equipped to again play its
role at the heart of our civic and
cultural life – citizenship ceremonies,
graduations, fundraising
balls, conferences and, of course,
concerts,’’ Ms Dalziel said.
“Today the memories will
flood back, I can assure you, as
you come through the doors to
the foyer, enter the magnificent
Douglas Lilburn Auditorium,
see the Avon, Victoria and Limes
Rooms, gaze at the very 70s Pat
Hanly mural and visit the James
Hay Theatre, which is not yet
completed, but you’ll get a taste of
what’s to come.’’
The mayor was then joined on
WELCOME: Mayor Lianne Dalziel and architect Sir Miles Warren greet visitors to the
town hall
stage by Sir Miles Warren, one
of the original architects of the
town hall, and Sir Harold Marshall,
who designed the acoustics,
for the ribbon cutting. The
other original architect, Maurice
Mahoney, sadly died before the
earthquake repairs could be
completed, but two of his greatgrandchildren,
Gus and Connor
Jensen, also helped with the
ribbon-cutting.
Then, as members of the
Christchurch Symphony
Orchestra played a fanfare, the
building was officially declared
reopen.
Campaigners for the
Christchurch Town Hall’s
restoration had waited years for
the event.
“Stepping out onto the stage
and looking round the renewed
auditorium brought back many
memories – from concerts to
graduations and school prizegivings
– but it also reminded
me of what a special architectural
space it is,’’ heritage advocate and
art history associate professor Dr
Ian Lochhead said.
“The restoration has been
carried out with great attention
to detail and the look and feel of
the building has been preserved;
the Hanly mural looks stunning
now that it is back in place and
once again bringing vibrancy and
colour to the main foyer spaces.”
Christchurch Heritage Trust
chair Anna Crighton said her
initial feeling when entering the
foyer of the town hall was “wow”.
“I cannot conceive that at one
stage demolition of this building
was considered,’’ Dr Crighton
said.
“This is a heritage building par
excellence and deserves its top
heritage listing. Its restoration has
been carried out to the highest of
international standards.
“The Christchurch Town Hall
is regarded internationally as one
of the top-10 concert halls in the
world. We in Christchurch, New
Zealand, should feel proud of that
status,” Dr Crighton said.
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