Tight construction time frame for redevelopment of Timaru’s Theatre Royal
Thursday, 3 July 2025
The construction company awarded the contract to redevelop Timaru’s Theatre Royal will have just 12 months to get the job done.
Timaru District Council procurement manager Nigel Howarth called for registrations of interest in the project, and another to build a new museum next door, via the Government’s electronic tendering service Gets, on June 24.
Documents being sent to interested construction companies break down the tight schedule for the projects.
In those, Howarth says the council needs “suitably experienced main contractors” for the projects.
“We seek credible construction partners with a strong track record in similar public-sector and heritage sensitive projects …”
Contractors could express interest in one or both of the projects, which would also include the construction of an integrated public laneway.
Interested construction firms must register to be considered by July 24.
The council, which had chosen to run a multi-step procurement process, would then evaluate and create a shortlist of respondents which are to be notified by August 8.
Those shortlisted would then need to submit a full proposal, via a tendering process, by November 3.
From there, the council planned to award the contract by December 8, leaving just 12 months for the project to be completed.
The council has just 18 months to complete the projects, as per its agreement with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to remain eligible for a $11.6 million Government contribution.
The registration of interest documents outline the three main components.
The redevelopment of the Theatre Royal is to bring it to a minimum of 70% NBS and included the restoration and refurbishment of key heritage feature including the auditorium, fly tower and facade.
It will include the modernisation of front and back of house facilities, reconfiguration of seating, installation of new systems (lighting, AV and theatre etc) and improvements to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning and fire safety of the building.
The new museum will be standalone and give provision for exhibition spaces, educational facilities and storage. The work will include the integration of climate control, acoustic and security systems.
The contractor must work with the council and museum stakeholders.
The laneway development would connect Stafford and Barnard streets and include landscaping, lighting and seating. Pedestrian and vehicle access were required.
A more detailed timeline included in the documents confirms mould and asbestos removal had been completed, and a demolition contract was to be awarded in July with a completion date of August.
A civil works contract would be awarded in September, and was expected to be completed by November to allow for construction to start the following month.
Respondents would be evaluated on five key criteria, which would each account for 20% of the overall rating. Those are health and safety, relevant experience and track record, relevant skills, capacity to deliver and how their approach would benefit the Timaru economy (use of Timaru-based suppliers and businesses).
Asked for an update on that, a council spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that a preliminary design contact had been signed, and they were now working on the next steps which would see designs developed.
“The architecture contract with NB and DLA was in place up to the end of preliminary design, and is now is just about to be finalised to take it up to detailed design.”
That would “progress the design down to every nut and bolt to produce drawings that are detailed enough to be tendered by a contractor and built on site”, they said.
They said there were a number of design contracts for the theatre project which covered everything from civil works to the installation of AV systems.
“All the other design consultants have now submitted their preliminary design packages for the theatre.”