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A revised plan to replace the leaky Civic carpark roof is expected to allow the Aotea Centre to remain open for next year's Auckland Festival.
The Aotea Centre, Auckland's premier performing arts venue, was due to close for two years while the carpark roof was replaced, coupled with an upgrade to Aotea Square.
But thanks to some engineering ingenuity, Auckland City Council plans to repair the roof in stages instead of removing much of the 20,000sq m square in one hit.
This has helped to reduce the cost of repairs and upgrading the square from $95 million to $80 million, allowed part of the carpark to stay open during the project, and means the Aotea Centre can continue theatre activity until the middle of next year.
The Edge chief executive Greg Innes said yesterday this meant the Aotea Centre could remain open for the Auckland Festival next March and allow companies like New Zealand Opera to continue to stage performances without having to move to the Civic Theatre.
Mr Innes said the Aotea Centre would still remain closed during the day and not be able to hold conventions from November to September 2010, when the project is due to be complete. It is expected to cost The Edge at least $5 million in lost revenue.
Part of the project involves removing the Aotea Centre's front steps, which sit over part of the damaged roof. Previous plans to redesign the front of the Aotea Centre and turn it into an outdoor entertainment area with bars and cafes have been scaled back.
Now, a new set of steps will be centred on the front entrance and a new box office and cafe provided.
Council special project manager Jane Farley said reducing the scope of work to the front of the Aotea Centre would save about $8 million. The new construction method would save about $7 million.
The new carpark roof will be about 1m higher than the present roof, creating a better connection between the Aotea Centre and the redeveloped square.
