THERE will be no searching for deep pockets to undertake improvement work at the Roxy Theatre after it was gifted an early Christmas present from the state government.
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It was announced on Tuesday by Member for Murray Austin Evans a grant application put in by council to the tune of almost $4 million.
Had the grant not been approved under the Regional Cultural Fund, Leeton Shire Council would have been forced to look elsewhere to find the money for the extensive project.
“Well done to the committee, well done to Leeton, it’s money well spent,” Mr Evans said.
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In the first six months of next year, council and the Roxy Theatre Redevelopment Working Group will finalise the detailed design and calling for a tender for a heritage architect.
Council general manager Jackie Kruger assured the community it would be part of the process.
“We’ll be having plenty of consultation with the community and that is where we will nut out all of the concerns and issues like the (reduction of) seating,” she said.
“Mid-year we hope to put out a tender for the actual build, but we will only start the build after the 2019 Leeton Eisteddfod.
“It’s going to be a long process.
“We want to make sure everything is correct.”
Detailed workshops are being planned for February where 10 people at a time will be invited to take part in each one so any feedback can be drilled down on.
Leeton Roxy Community Theatre Advisory Committee chairman councillor Michael Kidd was pleased the work was now able to go ahead.
“(This) will see the Roxy become more versatile, accessible and compliant while protecting its heritage significance,” he said.
“Importantly it will also provide local and regional artists with new opportunities to showcase innovative and quality works and allow visitors to experience a diverse range of arts and activities while generating social, economic and tourism benefits across the Western Riverina region.”
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