When was the last time you walked along the river from the amphitheatre to the Clubs of Marlborough?

I walked it last week for the first time in a long time. Once I was at the clubs, I scrambled up the bank to think about what I had just seen.

I was struck by the huge untapped potential of that area, especially in light of the new theatre.

The grassed area in front of the clubs and theatre will be a magnificent space for lunchtime and evening concerts, outdoor theatre, outdoor dining, children's entertainment, and other outdoor activities. The grassed area can be beautifully linked to High St with good lighting and an attractive setting along the river.

The amphitheatre can again be well utilised for theatre, concerts, poetry readings, singing and other cultural entertainment. The restaurants surrounding the amphitheatre will provide visitors with fabulous dining options. If we are seriously interested in becoming the performing arts capital of regional New Zealand and the conference capital of regional New Zealand, then we must think very smartly about how we provide visitors with the best possible experience.

Making the most of the space in front of the clubs and theatre and using the river as a lovely link to the CBD can only add to the total visitor experience.

We've got a two-year window while the theatre is being built. Let's use that time to get the outdoor area and river walk as we need it to be.

- The Marlborough Express

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