The Mayor's welcome

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33034, 29 September 1972, Page 25

The Mayor's welcome

The completion of the Christchurch Town Hall has been brought about by the willing co-opera-tion of many people.

Not the least has been the fine example of cooperation between local authorities, as it is in every way a combined effort by those in the metropolitan area — Christchurch City Council, Waimairi, Paparua and Heathcote county councils, and Riccarton and Lyttelton borough councils. The building of such a first-class amenity for our, city has been dreamed and talked about for many years and it was in the early fifties that the City Council commenced funding moneys for the purpose of having a Town Hall erected. One of the great influences in having the Town Hall built has been Town Hall Promotion Incorporated, and the significance it has played in this particular field is clearly indicated, as’ it was responsible for the raising of nearly $500,000. Also, the many public spirited citizens who gave generously of time and money. All cities have one strong claim for which they are known or recognised, and the City of Christchurch has always been recognised as one of the cultural centres of New Zealand and the completion of the Town Hall sets the seal on this recognition.

Furthermore, the facilities within this new complex give the city a venue for conventions, large or small, and the building has been designed so that conferences and conventions can be organised within the one central building situated near to the centre of the city, so now we can claim a double title of not only a cultural centre for New Zealand but also convention centre.

History reveals that the Town Hall complex is situated on the site where once stood the old Limes Hospital and this name is carried for-

ward by the naming of the banqueting room of the Town Hall as The Limes Room.

It may not be generally known that Church Property Trustees had arranged to have the old hospital converted into offices for diocese use. Indeed the contractors were to move in to commence the alterations, when the announcement was made that Professor Gordon Stephenson, who had been brought here to decide the siting of the Town Hall, had settled on the Limes site—at is was commonly known.

It is to the credit of Church Property Trustees that, with what to them was the eleventh hour announcement of the future of the site, they were prepared to stand aside and let the site be taken for a civic project. The city will always be grateful for their civic mindedness. When one considers that for less than $4 million we have an auditorium which has a total seating of more than 2600; a banqueting hall, known as The Limes Room, which can seat over 400 at a formal dinner; a restaurant with a dining capacity of 150 persons with a magnificent view of the Avon River and Victoria Square; a conference room which can seat 250 delegates and last, but by no means least, the James Hay Theatre which has been constructed to suit live theatre or small concerts with a seating capacity of 1008.

When all these amenities are taken into consideration, the people of Christchurch and the surrounding districts can justly say that we have certainly received value for money—a glowing tribute to the architects, Messrs Warren and Mahoney and the contractors, Chas S. Luney, Ltd.

With this magnificent amenity available, coupled with other important developments which are taking place in and around the city, it can be truly stated that Christchurch is a city on the move.

These remarks for the Town Hall supplement have been contributed by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering).