3 minute read
Heritage Foundation Arts Centre update
Arts Centre update
WELL, IT’S ALMOST ‘CURTAIN CALL’ FOR THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE.
The ‘star cast’ from ASPEC Construction led by Greg King at head office and Mark Rhynd on site, have gathered a really strong ‘chorus’ of over 50 contractors to deliver this landmark quality building on campus – on time and on budget.
As construction draws to a close, the all-important finishing touches are underway. These include completion of the foyer façade, installation of feature timberwork to the foyer, laying of floor coverings, installation of kitchen equipment, commissioning of air-conditioning systems and of course delivery and install of the theatre seats!
The next phase is the fitout with the specialist theatre technicians who will supply and commission the resources for the wide range of events and productions planned in the new auditorium and its foyer. This will include the installation of the stage winch rigging system, the theatre lighting and mixing desk, the projection screen and projectors, the cyclorama, the loudspeaker and amplification system as well as the more traditional items such as the house curtains to the dress the stage.
The fitout phase requires about 10 weeks and will be largely overseen by Shand Shelton our highly regarded theatre consultants. This will be the closing phase for the team that have realised the aspiration for Diocesan School to have a place for assembly and to celebrate the performing arts as the signature building on campus.
There are so many people who have contributed to the process through preparation of the client brief, developing the design, obtaining resource consent, detailed documentation, building consent, cost control, project management and now is the conclusion and fitout phase. It has been a remarkable journey that could only have been achieved with the resounding support of the whole Diocesan School community on all aspects of the process.
There will be formal acknowledgment of all the support provided by the many generous donors through enduring statements around the building, as well as at the official opening, but it is appropriate to acknowledge Ian Goodall as Board member and chair of the Campus Development Committee and Derek Nolan as a former Board member and member of the CDC who have provided countless hours of guidance and governance to the whole process for over 15 years – from the earliest concept drawings to completion of works on site. The ultimate goal is of course the handover to the girls of Dio.
It is planned to allow a series of smaller lowkey events to occur in the new auditorium for kinks to be ironed out
Architect Graham Upton of McIldowie Partners in association with Upton Architects Ltd
such as even distribution of air, switching controls to lights and balancing of the sound system. It is appropriate that it will be girls who will enjoy the Performing Arts Centre first and allow its full integration into campus life as the focus for gathering and celebrating the culture of the School. It also allows time for the sports field to be resewn with grass, paving and planting of trees to be completed and the campus itself allowed to recover from the largest single project ever undertaken by Diocesan School. “The foyer will reveal and celebrate the richness of the performing and visual arts programmes to all visitors to the campus. From inside it will provide a panoramic view of the sports and wellbeing spaces that are equally well accommodated at the Dio campus – a remarkable balance!”
V I TAL STATISTIC S 96 weeks
completed
55
subcontractors and suppliers
50
tradespeople on site
515m2
walnut panelling
940m
American white oak
1600
light fittings
3000m2
air conditioning ductwork
5390m2
With the impact of the Covid-19 country-wide lockdown, the completion of the auditorium will be delayed and the opening dependent on when current restrictions are lifted. These are our most up-to-date photos of the interior of the building.
IT’S ALMOST SHOWTIME
There's still time to take your seat before the curtains open to the Arts Centre Auditorium.
