A new 500-seat theatre is set to take shape in Geelong following a $128 million 2019/2020 State Budget commitment.
The commitment would transform Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), its chief executive officer (CEO) Joel McGuiness said.
“This is truly an exciting time of rejuvenation in Geelong.”
The amount would also fund a new 250-seat courtyard theatre, a black box theatre, an outdoor atrium and upgraded dining and ticketing facilities, Mr McGuiness said.
The Little Malop St redevelopment would begin in 2020, with a scheduled completion date of 2023, following the completion of a current Ryrie St redevelopment, he said.
The project would create about 600 jobs during construction and more than 300 ongoing jobs after completion, Mr McGuiness said.
The finished product would help attract the best artists from around the world and nurture local talent, he said.
“Geelong requires cultural assets to match the growing and changing needs of the community – I’m thrilled that we now have the opportunity to make this happen.”
More than a decade ago GPAC’s trust identified that the current building was nearing the end of its design life, Mr McGuiness said.
The trust had since worked “tirelessly” to secure government support for a staged redevelopment, he said.
The trust completed the first stage of the redevelopment, a $3 million refurbishment of the Playhouse Theatre, in 2010.
The second stage, a $38.5 million Ryrie St redevelopment, is on-track for completion later this year.
Municipal alliance G21 CEO Elaine Carbines welcomed the commitment but said that the trust had initially costed the final stage at $160 million in its master plan.
The shortfall meant GPAC could have to “compromise” on “administration and function spaces”, she said.
“A further amount is needed to complete the project.”
