2 Mar 2016

Another snag for $23m Blenheim theatre

3:04 pm on 2 March 2016

The Marlborough District Council is worried the planned opening of a new $23 million theatre in Blenheim has struck another obstacle, with extra government funding not coming through.

A concept sketch of the new Marlborough ASB Theatre in Blenheim, set to open in March.

A concept sketch of the new Marlborough ASB Theatre in Blenheim, which was set to open in March. Photo: SUPPLIED

The ASB Theatre, which had been years in the planning and building, was due to open this month in time for a performance by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on 22 March.

Mayor Alistair Sowman said the council would hold a special meeting on Monday to consider a request from the trust running the theatre project, for a further guarantee so that it could get bridging finance to finish the building.

The cashflow problem was the result of unexpectedly high extra construction costs and the absence of anticipated funding from central government., he said.