Sir Howard Morrison Centre restoration concepts released by Rotorua Lakes Council

Artist's impression of the civic theatre in the redeveloped Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre. Image / Supplied

The Rotorua Lakes Council has released concept designs for the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre restoration project.

A total of $22.5m has been secured for the strengthening and refurbishment of the facility. Work is set to start in November and the centre is expected to reopen in March 2021.

The performing arts centre shut in November 2017 for earthquake-strengthening and redevelopment.

In addition to the council's contribution of $11.5m, the project team has secured an additional $11m in external funding.

Concept design of the interior entrance. Image / Supplied

Rotorua Lakes councillor Trevor Maxwell, whose late wife Atareta was Sir Howard' sister, said he was "excited" by the project's progress.

He felt a great sense of emotion when he thought of Sir Howard and the legacy he left, he said.

The late Sir Howard Morrison. Photo / File

"I just can't wait for the day it opens next year."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said the project was "all systems go".

The council's arts and culture manager Stewart Brown said: "There has been a huge amount of detailed planning, consultation and funding work to get us to this point."

Rotorua Lakes Council chief executive Geoff Williams, left, and council arts and culture director Stewart Brown outside the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre in 2017. Photo / File

The approved design, led by architects Shand Shelton, will expose original qualities of the category 1 heritage building, and inside wood will be used to modernise the centre.

Stories of Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa and recognition of the legacy of Sir Howard Morrison will also feature.

Concept drawing of the concert chamber. Image / Supplied

A project update was presented to the Rotorua Lakes Council's Operations and Monitoring Committee this morning.

Brown told the committee he was "extremely confident" in the budget.

"We still have $1.4m contingency in that $22.5m. There's no reason not to believe we will deliver this within that funding envelope."

He said the council was working closely with the Morrison whānau to determine how the legacy of Sir Howard Morrison would be included in the building "particularly in the foyer spaces and the mezzanine".

The council's performing arts director Cian Elyse White said the civic theatre would have close to 1000 seats.

"It's going to make us a leading regional, national and international facility."

She said performing arts organisations were already asking when they could book to perform there.

The concert chamber will have retractable seating and mobile seating blocks.

The designs also include a lift and studio spaces, and the council is getting advice from with Bay of Plenty accessibility services.

The building will have a seismic rating of 80 per cent of the new national building standard, up from 25 per cent, making it low-risk in an earthquake.

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait asked about plans for the exterior.

Brown said the building needed to be completely repainted.

"We will be working with Heritage New Zealand and perhaps going back to the original colours which were a bit brighter... and there is some landscaping that needs to be considered for the front as well."

Councillor Tania Tapsell asked if materials would be reused from the building as it stood.

Brown said minimising landfill waste would be a requirement in the project contracts.

Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre Q and A

What has happened since the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre closed?
November 2017: Centre closed for earthquake strengthening
November 2017: Business plan completed outlining options for redeveloping the centre
January–July 2018: Architectural design competition resulted in Shand Shelton being appointed to lead the redesign
April 2018: Detailed seismic assessment rated the building at 25 per cent of new building standard. Buildings below 34 per cent are considered earthquake-prone
August 2018: Resource consent approved based on concept designs
May 2019: Preliminary designs completed
June 2019: Fully funded

What are the next steps?
Current status: Developed design under way
Detailed design to be complete: November 2019
Preconstruction enabling works: July–December 2019
Construction works: November 2019–2021
Reopens to the public: 2021

Who are the project funding partners?
Rotorua Lakes Council $11.5m
Lottery Grants Board $5.2m
Glenn Family Foundation $3m
Rotorua Trust $1.5m
NZCT $1.25m
Ngāti Whakaue Trusts $150,000
One Foundation $125,000