Arts centre opens
The $14.1 million West Gippsland Arts Centre redevelopment was officially unveiled during a community celebration on Saturday morning.
While arts centre patrons have already enjoyed the new facilities during a series of performances and shows since the first show on November, the doors were opened to the wider community on Saturday for the official opening.
The project, funded jointly by Baw Baw Shire and $4 million each from the federal and state governments, has created more than 250 additional seats with an auditorium balcony and has transformed the face of the foyer and exhibition space.
The arts centre was closed for 22 months while the works were undertaken.
Mayor Mikaela Power said it was the biggest capital works project ever undertaken by council. She said council’s goal was to make the facility more accessible to the community and to achieve the original vision for the building first conceived more than 30 years ago.
Cr Power said the arts centre would not only cater to big ticket touring artists but provide a range of opportunities for local school students to perform on stage and see professional productions.
“Thanks to the state of the art facilities there will be expanded possibilities for touring performances along with school and community productions.
“Complete with a lift for improved access, café and visitor centre and improvements to the dressing rooms, booking office and administration spaces, the arts centre will be able to successfully cater to professional and local performances well into the future.
“Among a huge scope of works for this project, the biggest change has been the increase in seating capacity from 490 to 750. Our goal has been achieved.
We can now finally accommodate audience numbers originally envisaged over three decades ago,” she said.
Cr Power said the arts centre was more than a performance venue but was a collective gathering space that brought together community members from infants to seniors.
She said it promised to bring many benefits, culturally and economically, to the shire.
“Culturally, the facility’s expanded capacity means a new calibre of performance can tour to our region.
“Hosting bigger shows, international events and conferences will bring trade to our hotels, to our retail industry and all associated businesses.
Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said the revitalised arts centre would shine a spotlight on West Gippsland and regional Victoria.
“With an increased seating capacity, up from 480 to 750 patrons, larger audiences will be able to enjoy the wide range of performances on offer at the arts centre.
“It is anticipated that the arts centre will see an extra 1.2 million visitors over its life – which is music to the ears of the arts community and regional economy,” Mr Broadbent said.
Cr Power said the redevelopment project had injected $3 million dollars into the local economy through steel works, carpentry and equipment hire; and created 56 local jobs throughout construction.
The mayor acknowledged councillors, staff, construction crews and the Friends of the Arts Centre for all helping to deliver the project.
“The vision is now a reality and something our community can cherish for generations to come,” she said.