Meteor Theatre set to receive more funding from council
Hamilton City Council has topped up funding for the Meteor days before it reopens.
Photo: Cory Brown
The Meteor Theatre has been given $26,292 by Hamilton City Council to get it over the line in time for a reopening after it was closed for earthquake strengthening and upgrades.
The money was to help cover unexpected costs during building work, and is on top of funding given at the time the theatre was handed over to One Victoria Trust in 2014.
The motion for the extra cash put by Councillor Angela O’Leary was backed 9-4 in a full council meeting this morning.
council that is prepared and absolutely open
to listening to the community when they need us.”
Photo: Cory Brown
O’Leary said the additional funding is “not a material amount”.
“While we have some tough decisions to make in the future 10-year budget, it isn’t material when this year, certainly, we’re reporting to operate a $37 million operating surplus.”
Councillor Mark Bunting disagreed. “To me, every dollar is a material amount,” he said.
“I really would hate to be a part of a council that says, ‘it’s only 26,000 in the grand scheme of things’. It’s a lot of money.”
However, Bunting did support the motion, saying that “circumstances aren’t normal” and “the council is under-serving the arts community at the moment”.
Hamilton mayor Andrew King voted against granting the money. He said the deed of trust made it clear “no more money would be asked for”.
Councillor Leo Tooman also opposed the grant.
“We don’t want to be seen as the bank where people come to when they’re short of a dollar,” Tooman said.
O’Leary said One Victoria Trust did well with “the [performance indicators] that were set for them when we gifted over this theatre”.
“I have always believed that the [arts] community in this space does it much, much better than us.
“We’re exceptional audience members, but we’re not exceptional at running a theatre.”
With funding secured, the Meteor will be reopened for its first show on May 19.
