A public meeting was held on Tuesday night at the theatre to discuss concept plans that were designed as part of an application for grant funding to refurbish the inside of the iconic building. 

These plans were leaked to the community before a proper consultation was able to take place, resulting in plenty of anger and uncertainty from those who host their events there, visit the theatre and see it as the “beating heart of Leeton.”

About 120 residents turned out for the meeting, with Roxy Theatre Redevelopment Working Group chairman Katherine Herrmann using the occasion to navigate through the plans, explaining this project still had years of work to come. 

“I stress to you these are only concept plans … they can be changed,” she said. 

“This is only one of the very first steps in the what will be a process that could last between three to five years.”

The plans show a reduction of seating from around 700 seats to 333. 

This was a bone of contention with many at the meeting, including mayor Paul Maytom, who said it wasn’t an idea he supported. 

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The funding application is yet to be approved, but if it doesn’t come through, Leeton Shire Council will still look at other ways of moving the theatre into the 21^st Century, ensuring its viability and sustainability. 

Also part of the concept plans was the idea of a smaller theatre, a small cafe, a working kitchen for functions, retractable seating on the ground floor and much more.

Mrs Herrmann moved to assure the community it would continue to be consulted throughout the process.

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