THE Margaret River Cultural Centre will undergo a long overdue upgrade after $185,500 in funding was received from Lotterywest on Friday.
This funding, together with $120,000 from the Augusta Margaret River Shire, $40,000 from the South West Development Commission and $10,000 from Arts Margaret River, means old and unsafe theatre equipment from the building’s early days in the 1980s can now be replaced.
Regional development minister Terry Redman said upgrading the Cultural Centre was identified as a priority project in the Margaret River’s SuperTowns growth plan as the venue played an important role in the community.
“After 30 years, many key pieces of equipment are now well past their useful life and in some cases are potentially unsafe without a major upgrade or complete replacement,” Mr Redman said.
Funding will go towards new equipment including the fly system, curtain tracks, lighting, speakers and microphones.
Arts Margaret River vice president Rob Rumball said it was fantastic to get the support.
“We look forward to a very bright future,” he said.
The Shire recently identified a total of $1.1 million was needed to bring the Cultural Centre up to a modern standard.
Shire chief executive Gary Evershed said this latest funding was a major step towards the bigger picture, with more funds to hopefully be secured in the future.
“The Centre houses the only indoor cinema in the town and serves the community as an evacuation centre as demonstrated by the 2011 November bushfires,” he said.
“This investment will significantly benefit the community.”
He estimated more than 30,000 people use the building per year.
The funding announcement was made on Friday at a reception for key stakeholders.
