TORQUAY TOWN CENTRE SPEND-UP A CURTAIN-RAISER FOR THEATRE
BIG changes are on the agenda for Torquay, with the Surf Coast Council voting to move forward on town centre improvements and the possibility of a stadium theatre in the surfside town.
Councillors this week voted in favour of exploring the prospect of converting the Torquay Sports and Recreation Centre into a theatre, with the centre being freed up by $8 million in government grants for a new Multipurpose Indoor Stadium next door.
Council allocated $30,000 in its 2018/19 budget for a feasibility study into converting the stadium into a theatre, to boost the Surf Coast’s already strong arts credentials.
Mayor David Bell said establishing a dedicated theatre and arts space remained a priority, with the existing Beach Rd centre expected to be available for other uses by mid-2020.
“Our 2015 study identified that Surf Coast Shire is under-supplied for dedicated arts spaces, yet we are listed as one of regional Australia’s creative hot-spots,” Cr Bell said. “We recognise the lack of a purpose-built theatre space, and the value of the arts in contributing to a thriving community.”
The study will engage with members of the arts community, including Torquay Theatre Troupe.
On Tuesday the council also allocated $1 million from its 2017-18 budget surplus for stage one improvements in the Torquay Town Centre Project, in the hopes it could leverage $5 million in funding from other levels of government.
“This substantial contribution from council is required in order to demonstrate our commitment,” Cr Bell said.
“We will be submitting applications to Regional Development Victoria’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the federal Building Better Regions Fund.
“Our community contributed passionately to this project during the engagement period. We look forward to gaining government support.”
Stage one works on the $12.3 million town centre project are set to include Gilbert St beautification and conversion to one-way traffic, intersection realignments, crossings and roundabout installation, footpath and laneway upgrades, and streetscaping and landscaping.