State Trinity Centre to be opened soon

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33966, 6 October 1975, Page 7

State Trinity Centre to be opened soon

The former St Paul’s Trinity Pacific Church, at the corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets, will be officially opened as a small community theatre on November 22. The church, which was bought by the State Insurance Office at the end of last year, will be available to community groups as a cultural and seminar centre. It will be known as the State Trinity Centre. The size of the centre dictated its use as not being suitable for large numbers of performers giving one performance, said the manager of the State Insurance Office (Mr B. R. Cameron). The stage area is 270 sq. ft The seating capacity, including a gallery, is 240. There will be a'ticket box in the entrance foyer, and an area for hanging coats. Static displays can also be set up in the foyer. There is also an area suitable as a back stage, meeting place, or for static) displays. The pipe organ from the I old church has been retained,! and will be ready next year for use in recitals. A lighting system of six dimming channels will be installed,! although there will not Hfe a 1 sound system. A committee has been set up to help the State Insurance Office in the administration and development of the centre. It consists of the

secretary of the Arts Festival) drama sub-committee (Mrs Judith Lee), the chairman of! the Community Arts Council) steering committee (Mr) Reeves Harris) and the city architect (Mr J. K. Collins). Mr Cameron is chairman of the committee. The assistant manager of the State Insurance Office (Mr K. W. Lester) is secretary. Rental charges for founda-i itions had not yet been fixed,! said Mr Cameron, although! it was planned to keep these! ,as low as possible, so that] only outgoings were re-1 ;couped. Organisations which 1 used the premises could! ! charge the public for per-j iformances, he said. !

Groups and organisations) interested in using the 'theatre will be able to inspect it on October 17 and 18. Although the premises would not be complete, their scope would be able to be established, said Mr Cameron. Renovation work on the building was progressing 'very well, said Mr Collins. | Strengthening of the struc|ture was complete, repairs I were being made to the slate I roof, and plastering of the I interior was well under way. I The church celebrated its centenary in January and j almost immediately afterwards was handed over to the State Insurance Office.