Theatre cost rise denied

Suggestions the cost of the new theatre project in Blenheim has gone over $17 million are not true, a project leader says.

Civic Theatre Trust chairman Kevin Moseley questioned who was spreading rumours that the cost had escalated.

They were "totally wrong", he said.

Instead, he expected considerable savings.

"When there's a recession, it creates cheaper building competition, and the costs go down."

Someone was scaremongering, Mr Moseley said.

"I don't know what they're basing it [their comments] on."

Community fundraising was "absolutely on track" to meet the $3m target by the end of September, Mr Moseley said.

He would not comment further.

The trust had developed a funding jigsaw that included raising $3m from the community as well as an already promised $5m grant from the Marlborough District Council and funds from the sale or lease of the existing theatre.

The theatre is earmarked for council-owned land on the western side of the Clubs Marlborough complex in central Blenheim.

Work is expected to start in the middle of next year once the Alfred St car park is built.

- The Marlborough Express