Arts centre unveiled as audiences file in
The West Gippsland Arts Centre reopened on Thursday night following a $14.1 million redevelopment.
After closing for 22 months, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra had the honour of performing the first show in front of an audience of 620 people.
The concert was quickly followed by the finale of television show “Live at Spectrum” on Sunday night, attracting an audience of about 400 people.
As the audiences filed in, the redevelopment was viewed with highlights a new modern and light foyer, balcony seating lifting capacity to 760 seats, outdoor forecourt and internal staircase.
Despite delays pushing the re-opening back three months, some finishing works still to be carried out and foyer bathrooms closed, Cr Joe Gauci took to the stage before the MSO to “welcome the community home to our beloved, newly refurbished West Gippsland Arts Centre”.
“Some 20 months ago, we embarked on a journey to deliver the biggest capital works project ever carried out by Baw Baw Shire Council,” said Cr Gauci.
“One of the driving ambitions of the original founders of this theatre, back in the early 80s, was to create a place that would be able to host regular concerts by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,” he said. “It was very fitting that they were the first to take the stage following the redevelopment – and what a magnificent performance it was.”
MSO conductor Ben Northey, originally from Ballarat, added “this venue is something you should all be incredibly proud of”.
“For me, music and the arts are absolutely essential and as a lad from regional Victoria, I know personally what a vital role venues like this play in the life of an aspiring young musician,” he said. “To me, there could be no more appropriate way to launch such a fantastic space, than with great music. Now, more than ever, music is so important for our communities and our lives. Music overcomes boundaries and brings people together.”
“Live at Spectrum” host Brett Glover said the audience of 400 to 500 people was the largest audience ever for the monthly television show normally filmed in Traralgon to promote Gippsland music.
The show featured Jack Jones of “Southern Suns” fame who grew up in Traralgon, year 11 student Imogen Price of Phillip Island and “Weekend Rockstars” of Sale who reformed for the night.
An official reopening festival on Saturday, November 17 will give the local community a chance to view and experience the redeveloped venue with guided tours and a free evening concert.
The celebration will run between 9am and 3pm with the official ribbon cutting ceremony at 11am.
Local schools and theatre companies will perform onstage whilst live music will be enjoyed in the new forecourt.
Two performances of “The Whale’s Tale” at 12noon and 2pm will entertain families.
There will be plenty of fun as audience members walk the red carpet leading into Gippsland Symphony Orchestra’s concert in the main theatre at 7pm.
This is a free concert, but bookings are essential by calling the West Gippsland Arts Centre box-office on 5624 2456 or visiting wgac.org.au.