Girls’ High site for performing arts?

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 2

Girls’ High site for performing arts?

Performing arts groups in Christchurch need a common site for their activities and the old Girls’ High School would fit the bill, according to the director of the Arts Centre, Mr Chris Doig. He has proposed this to the Civic Trust which will decide the future use of the School buildings. Multiple-use of the buildings by diverse groups would be a mistake and difficult to manege, Mr Doig said. “The site could be promoted as a vibrant area of performing art activities,” he said. “Facilities, rehearsal rooms and instruments could be shared by the various groups.

“This would then be an ideal setting for a polytechnic course in the performing arts giving Christ-

church a better chance of holding on to its talented performing artists. Such a course has been given priority for 1988 by the

Government.” The Christchurch School of Instrumental Music was in particular need of larger premises which the Arts Centre could not provide. “At the Arts Centre we already have enough on our hands with two sites to manage t and do not want to take on administration of this third site. With our experience in recycling of buildings we can certainly offer sound advice,” Mr Doig ’ said. “Other premises are available in the city for unrelated groups who would like to use the - Girls’ High School premises.”

The site could be used in future for New Zealand’s leading school of music.

Mr Doig was concerned that the empty buildings would be vandalised if a use for the site was not settled soon.