Earthquake strengthening works are needed at Invercargill's Civic Theatre and He Waka Tuia Art + Museum.

Both buildings will remain open, but will be labelled as "earthquake-prone" until the seismic strengthening upgrade is completed. 

Council Group Manager Leisure and Recreation Steve Gibling said the assessments showed the continued occupancy of both buildings is appropriate.

"We know these are two important spaces to our community and we are confident the work to bring our buildings up to standard will happen quickly," Gibling said.

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"Both the Civic Theatre and He Waka Tuia will continue to operate during this time, and there will be minimal impact on exhibitions and shows as the works are completed."

The council has completed design works for the strengthening required at the Civic Theatre and is submitting the building consent documents.

It is working with the landlord of the Community House premises of He Waka Tuia, on Don St, who is in the process of submitting design and consenting documents for the work required. 

He Waka Tuia on Don St

Council Group Manager Infrastructure Erin Moogan said the council has been in the process of updating seismic assessments across all of its buildings, in line with new building standards introduced in 2017.

The seismic assessment carried out on the Civic Theatre building found that there was one minor element requiring strengthening - small gables to the south-east and south-west of the auditorium building.

Work is required to tie the gable ends into the roof structure. The work is minor and should take about three days to complete. 

"The building will then be well above the limit at which it is deemed earthquake-prone," Moogan said.

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The elements of the He Waka Tuia building that place the building in the earthquake-prone building classification are a lack of connection between walls and the roof.

Strengthening work will involve installation of plywood sarking to external roof elements and installation of fixings to roofing components and wall structures.

He Waka Tuia is accepting entries to its annual Spring Exhibition, while the Civic Theatre is looking forward to a full programme throughout the rest of the year.