Council really needs to think outside the CBD box
I WOULD like to offer some follow- on remarks to the letter by Simon McConnell ( TB, 28/ 7) regarding the lack of artistic venues in our city.
It is my understanding that the Townsville Council is considering Central Park as the possible site for a new 1000- seat concert hall.
Ignoring the question of whether a concert hall is the most urgently needed facility, I can only imagine the chaos that would occur when trying to attend a concert on that site while a Cowboys home game is taking place less than 100m away ( or indeed, trying to go anywhere near Dean St).
Compare this to the TPAC concept ( www. tpac. net. au); a plan to extend and develop facilities on the Civic Theatre site.
There is plenty of room to build facilities that would be beneficial to all the performing arts, along with easy access, and no shortage of parking.
Council has rejected the TPAC concept on the basis that they want to revitalise the CBD – Reid Park falls just outside of those bounds.
They also noted there is no public transport to Civic Theatre, and that it’s some distance from restaurants and cafes.
It would be a shame if council’s focus on revitalising the CBD ( and their attempts to position arts venues within that area) were to result in a lack of positive outcomes for more years to come.
Perhaps it is the right time to reconsider the possibility that something useful may be built outside the CBD. DR MARK SMITH,
Kirwan.