Assessing the future of Founders Theatre
H3 Group and Hamilton City Council commissioned a single-stage Better Business Case to assess the viability of upgrading Founders Theatre and inform future investment decisions. The 1,249-seat regional venue, a long-standing Hamilton landmark, now requires significant renewal to remain fit for purpose. We developed the business case to confirm scope, benefits and investment readiness.
Founders Theatre is facing three clear drivers for change: safety, structural performance, and long-term relevance.
The most immediate concern relates to the ageing flying system, which has reached the end of its economic life after more than 50 years of continuous use, creating significant safety risks. Structural assessments have also identified a range of issues, including major seismic concerns linked to the auditorium roof diaphragm, which is a critical component of the building’s earthquake resilience. Alongside these physical challenges, the theatre’s role as a regional asset is also in decline, with patronage falling significantly over time, highlighting the need to restore its appeal to both audiences and promoters.
We developed a single-stage, Better Business Case–compliant assessment structured around the five-case model, providing a clear and robust foundation for investment decision-making.
The case was built to demonstrate the strategic rationale for change, assess value for money, confirm commercial and financial feasibility, and ensure the proposal is deliverable in practice. An Investment Logic Mapping workshop was used to define the core objectives and explore the full range of intervention options. This was supported by specialist input from theatre architects Shand Shelton, engineers Dunning Thornton Consultants, and The Giblin Group, who developed a revenue generation strategy to inform funding considerations.ses and strengthening decision-making. Once near final, the full business case was reviewed in a structured playback session to confirm alignment with Council intent and Long Term Plan requirements.
Turning insight into a clear investment direction
We brought structure and momentum to the development of the business case through a series of focused, collaborative workshops. We started by defining the core problem and benefits through an Investment Logic Map workshop, creating a clear line of sight from need to value. From there, we tested and refined investment options in an Options Workshop, working with stakeholders to narrow to a preferred direction based on what would deliver best outcomes. Once the business case was drafted, we brought everyone back together in a Playback Workshop to pressure-test the logic, strengthen the argument, and ensure confidence in the final direction.
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