Protecting the heritage and future of the Cambridge Town Hall
The Cambridge Town Hall is recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category Class II building – this project helped to maintain and enhance its heritage value.
WSP Opus was commissioned by the Waipa District Council to develop a conservation plan to ensure the preservation and careful development of the Cambridge Town Hall – recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category Class II building.
The town hall was built in 1909. Its design, incorporating quality materials, was considered the forefront of technology at that time. Members from the Auckland and Hamilton heritage team carried out an extensive photographic and non-invasive survey of the building and Jubilee Gardens, next door. This was supported by research into the available documented history.
Using all available information, we prepared a conservation plan that included recommendations for:
- Reinstatement of the gallery compromised during the development of the Prince William Theatre in the 1980s
- Reconsideration of the colour scheme and treatment of the Oamaru stone window surrounds
- Providing suitable storage for unused original theatre seating
- The implementation of a disaster management plan
- A maintenance plan