We worked closely with the architects who spent $100,000 on the redesign of the Founders Theatre in Hamilton to enable it to be used for young people as well as community groups with the generous support of benefactors for the $10m remodel. 

It was designed to have a

• 500 seat auditorium for performances and an outdoor stage

• 4 floors for Arts clubs, ie music, performance, visual arts, other after school art clubs

• Cafe and Shop for fundraising

• Exhibitions of local, national and international young peoples arts

• Regional and national youth artists workshops and holiday programes ie WETA Workshops,  band, drama workshops etc

• An outdoor Children's Art Park designed and created by our young people

Unfortunately, upon submitting this plan, Councilors and staff declined to spend the time to sit down and discuss this proposal and the building has since been destroyed.

The vision for such a magnificent support place for our young people continues. 

Youth need to speak, be represented, supported in their dreams and have their talents celebrated. They are far in advance of us.