Baycourt Community and Arts Centre is a multi-purpose performing arts and theatre facility in Tauranga, New Zealand.[1] It was designed by Warren and Mahoney,[2] and has a main auditorium, the Addison Theatre, that seats 589.[3][4] The Addison Theatre is named after Bob Addison, chairman of a group of local residents who formed the Tauranga Community Arts Council and developed the original proposal for a community and arts centre in 1974. It took nine years of fundraising and planning before the centre was built and officially opened in 1983.[5]
One of the unusual features of Baycourt is its Wurlizter organ. The instrument is a 1926 Mighty Wurli (2/10 Wurlitzer Model H Opus 1482). It was originally installed in a theatre in Wellington, then moved to a shed in Tokoroa, and then into the former Tauranga Town Hall before being installed in Baycourt.[7]
^"Baycourt facing up to tough future: Flagship city theatre likely to face stiff competition from new venues". Bay of Plenty Times. 5 March 2007. ProQuest431691459.