The University of Waikato has suggested building a Founders Theatre replacement on campus, next to the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.

Dame Malvina Major says Founders Theatre has had its day and is backing a replacement - at the University of Waikato.

The internationally known opera star says it would take some convincing for her to believe the existing theatre site is best.

And Waikato University, where she now teaches, is offering to put $5 million into a 1000- to 1500-seat replacement venue if it's on campus.

GEORGE HEARD/FAIRFAX NZ "I absolutely don't believe Founders is the right place," says Dame Malvina Major.

Health and safety worries closed Founders Theatre in March, leaving Hamilton City Council with three options: fix it, bowl it and start again, or close it. Hamilton City Council is in the process of consulting residents on which they'd prefer.

READ MORE:

* City hall closes Hamilton's Founders Theatre

* Founders Theatre options come with multimillion-dollar price tag

* Founders Theatre call - knock it down or spend up large

* Dame Malvina Major leaves opera on a high note

A rebuild, the most expensive option, could be more than $50m. More than 2000 people have had their say electronically and Hamilton City Council is still processing paper submissions.

PETER DRURY/FAIRFAX NZ If a theatre were built at the University of Waikato, the university could put $5 million into the project, says Vice Chancellor Neil Quigley.

"I absolutely don't believe Founders is the right place," she said.

"It was right when it was built, but it's not right any more.

"It's 50 years ago - over 50 years.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ Most of the arts community strongly favours a central Hamilton theatre location, says Creative Waikato chief executive Sarah Nathan.

"The city has grown and it's no longer appropriate.

"Five minutes across the bridge here is nothing."

Dame Malvina was still at school when she sang at a newly opened Founders and says even then, the acoustics weren't great.

BEN CURRAN/FAIRFAX NZ 'If we're building a new theatre, I think it would be a huge missed opportunity not to build it in the central city,' says Clarence Street Theatre general manager Jason Wade.

Her most recent performance in Founders was three years ago, when there were buckets on stage to catch water dripping through the roof - "pretty embarrassing, really".

A second stage of the Gallagher Academy of performing arts, with teaching spaces, had always been intended, she said.

"I said, why don't we go to the city and why don't we ask if they would be interested in building a really fabulous, kind of iconic, state-of-the-art Sydney Opera House-type building in the Waikato?

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ "I've always been quite happy with where the existing Founders Theatre is," says Hamilton City Councillor Rob Pascoe.

"I felt that we could have our teaching spaces in that building, we could build an auditorium that had anything from 800 to 1200 seats, with proper acoustics, and there could be a fourth wall that opened out for summer concerts on the lawn."

The building could help draw tourists, she said.

Putting a 1200-seat theatre beside the Gallagher Academy would boost Hamilton's performing arts status, University of Waikato Vice Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley said.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ "The [university theatre] idea has been on the drawing boards for probably 15 years," says outgoing Deputy Mayor Gordon Chesterman.

"It would mean that we had the single-best facility for performance arts in the whole of New Zealand, I would imagine," he said.

"It would mark Hamilton out nationally as a place where performances should want to come ... it would be something they could say on 7 Days, apart from the things they currently say," he said with a laugh.

The university's submission on Founders Theatre is unrelated to another university project to develop a marae and multipurpose building, which will be more a conference and event space.

The submission to Hamilton City Council sets out campus advantages, including existing parking and the possibility the two Gallagher Academy venues could share a foyer - meaning cost savings.

"We would be prepared to tip the $5 million that we've got in our capital plan to build [an expansion] into the Founders replacement," Quigley said.

"That's money we will need to spend anyway."

Any plans would need to take into account what Hamilton would be like in 30 or 40 years.

"If the best thing for Hamilton is to do it somewhere else, that's fine. We'll just do our own extension to the academy."

Thoughts on a uni-based theatre

Creative Waikato does think somewhere else is better - an inner-city theatre is a strong preference for most of the creative community, chief executive Sarah Nathan said.

Nathan did agree, however, that the university plays an important role in supporting classical music.

"From the little that I know of [the university's submission] ... it is not a full community solution and that's what's critical.

"It's still very early in the consultation process ... it would be dangerous to be leaping to solutions just yet."

The university's $5m was a fraction of the cost and a new theatre needs to prioritise community access, without the usage limitations that could come with an educational facility.

Clarence Street Theatre general manager Jason Wade wasn't keen, either.

"If we're building a new theatre, I think it would be a huge missed opportunity not to build it in the central city where it's surrounded by an entertainment precinct ... and the university just doesn't have that," he said.

Hamilton City Councillor and mayoral candidate Rob Pascoe expects "quite distinct views" to come through the consultation process, including ideas from groups such as Tainui.

"I've always been quite happy with where the existing Founders Theatre is, particularly what's grown up around it, such as Seddon Park and the stadium," Pascoe said.

Bringing it closer into town also appeals, but he has an open mind.

He hopes any replacement would keep the city hall aspect, too, to host events like prizegivings and graduation ceremonies.

The Gallagher Academy has long had a vision for a theatre, outgoing Deputy Mayor Gordon Chesterman said.

"The idea has been on the drawing boards for probably 15 years," he said. "It's a logical place for a university facility. Whether it would be a logical place for a public facility, I would need to see more of what was planned there."

Founders Theatre facts

Opened in November 1962

Seats 1250

A $13.8m refurbishment had been planned for 2021/22

March 1, 2016: closed due to health and safety concerns

Consultation: 2261 electronic submissions on its future sent to council - paper submissions still being processed

Theatre requirements

Acoustically designed to both support opera-style singers and voices amplified by microphones

Fly tower for scenery, drapery and equipment

Stage to fit a full orchestra of 120

Sprung stage for ballet performances

Orchestra pit

Seats for up to 1200, possibly with a divide to reduce if needed

Foyer for artwork and displays

Source: Dame Malvina Major