Construction for Christchurch’s new Court Theatre is on schedule for completion in early 2025.

The total project budget is $56 million, and Christchurch City Council’s contribution is $46 million.

Council Vertical Capital Delivery Manager Darren Moses told Chris Lynch Media the core facility remains on track for completion in the week before Christmas 2024.

The theatre will then take over the building for completion of technical fitout and transition of their operations, and begin preparation for their first production in 2025.

“Council has received requests for cost variations for services. These are being evaluated as part of normal construction project process, and no decision has been made yet” Moses said.

He said  the Catholic Diocese applied for, and Council has issued, consents for upgraded temporary parking on Armagh Street.  Upgrade works are currently underway.

Theatre Advisor and Lead Director Ross Gumbley said the Court Theatre will retain its historic name on the building.

This represents a departure from usual council procedures, which mandate that all new council buildings be named in Maori.

“The name on the outside of the building will be ‘The Court Theatre’ as shown in all the graphics.

“We are engaging with mana whenua as there will likely be a Māori name for the building, but the name on the outside of the building will be the name of our company ‘The Court Theatre’.

“The project – both The Court and the Council – are in the process of engaging with Mana Whenua, as has always been the case since the inception of the Performing Arts Precinct, to ensure that correct protocol is followed when constructing a new building in Ōtautahi, Aotearoa.

The name of the building will be revealed when it is opened, at the moment it is a building site.”