Wyong Council approves Cultural Centre tender

The proposed Centre will be located on the site of the Wyong Memorial Hall and designed by Sydney architects, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer.

The design brief is for a 450 seat theatre, 150 retractable seat performance and exhibition studio, rehearsal areas, large foyer for social activities and a café. The design will be for a centre that can be built in two stages, depending on available funding.

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer has designed several successful arts facilities including CarriageWorks at Eveleigh in Sydney and the Casula Powerhouse Regional Arts Centre.

“The vision for the Centre is a place where home grown arts can flourish,” said Council’s Cultural Planner, Stuart Slough, who has been working on the project for the past three years.

The plan for the Wyong Shire Cultural Centre was developed after a study of cultural activity on the Central Coast revealed there was a shortfall of suitable facilities in the Wyong Shire to support local artists, performers and cultural events in the long term.

“Cultural centres normally take up to eight years to develop, so to be at the design stage after three years is an exciting step for the community,” Mr Slough added.

Wyong Mayor Bob Graham said, “Council completely supports this facility and we are committed to creating a cultural centre for the arts in Wyong Shire. We hope the Wyong Shire Cultural Centre will provide the facilities for the growth of the arts in the Shire.”

Once the preliminary concept design is completed, a development application will be prepared and submitted for consideration. Council intends to submit the development application by June 2010. The community will have an opportunity to view and comment on the Centre design during this stage.

Council will then be in a position to seek State and Federal funding for the next stages of development.

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