At the end of next month the Christchurch Town Hall will be 30 years old.

The building continues to maintain its place as the heart of the city’s cultural life, and is the home venue for Christchurch Symphony, Canterbury Opera, Christchurch City Choir, schools music events, Showbiz Christchurch and many others.

Over the years public use has grown to include citizenship ceremonies, graduations, public meetings, and musical events from rock to classical.

The opening of the adjoining Christchurch Convention Centre in 1997 has put Christchurch on the map as the country’s premier conference city. The linked venues have hosted New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious conferences, international conferences, meetings and exhibitions.

The central-city location is still proving its value, with proximity to major hotels, central-city services and attractions, fine dining and entertainment — all big drawcards for securing conferences in Christchurch.

International delegates talk about the ease with which they can walk about the city, day and night.

The Town Hall remains the city’s premier performing arts venue. The 1000-seat capacity James Hay Theatre is praised by visiting conductors and artistic directors for its intimacy, warmth and acoustics. The acoustics in the Auditorium remain among the best in the world. Major music acts can use the latest audio-visual equipment, at a fraction of typical northern hemisphere costs.

International venue management company NCC New Zealand has managed the building since 1996.

Boaters Restaurant is now jointly operated by NCC and the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology as a student-training restaurant.