Christchurch Town Hall

Story

The Christchurch Town Hall, since 2007 formally known as the Christchurch Town Hall of the Performing Arts, opened in 1972, is Christchurch New Zealand's premier performing arts centre. It is located in the central city on the banks of the Avon River overlooking Victoria Square. It was situated opposite the now-demolished Christchurch Convention Centre. Due to significant damage sustained during the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake the Christchurch Town Hall is closed until the end of 2013 at the earliest. Council staff have recommended demolition of all but the main auditorium. At a meeting in November 2012, however, councillors voted to rebuild the entire hall.HistoryThe first Town Hall in Christchurch was built on the corner of Hereford Street and Cathedral Square, from where one would look down Sumner Road . The verandah was used as hustings for elections.The current building was part of an envisaged civic centre for Christchurch. Part I, the Christchurch Town Hall, was opened on 30 September 1972 by the Governor General, Sir Denis Blundell. The project was carried out by the then six metropolitan territorial local authorities, i.e. Christchurch City Council, Paparua and Heathcote County Councils, Riccarton and Lyttelton Borough Councils, and Waimairi District Council. Five of these local authorities were amalgamated in the 1989 local government reforms, and Lyttelton became part of Christchurch in March 2006, hence Christchurch City Council has sole responsibility for the venue these days.