The Roxy Redevelopment Committee met last week to receive an update on the project and to recommend to Leeton Shire Council a path forward.

The meeting was called to consider council's recent decision to reject tenders on price, in favour of entering into direct negotiation with the preferred tenderer, the Lloyd Group, and brokering meetings with the builder and local Leeton contractors who were being encouraged to put in a bid. The full project currently faces a $3 million funding gap after the federal government's Building Better Region's Fund application was not supported and exacerbating cost escalations due to the pandemic, which has impacted supply chains and areas like steel pricing.

Council will now be deliberating later this week on whether to proceed with its current plans of completing the work in stages or whether it should bite the bullet to get the full project done.

The full redevelopment of the Roxy is aiming to deliver a restored heritage building that serves as the shire's town hall/civic centre, state of the art theatre, cinema, CBD activation hub and an outpost for artistic excellence. The project also extends into the former Movie and Crate Cafés, which council acquired in 2020.

The Roxy Redevelopment Committee has also resolved to recommend to council that the space needs to be developed in one go and not be staged.

To show its commitment, the committee has pledged to raise $1 million themselves towards the funding shortfall if further attempts at federal government partnership funding don't deliver a result.

IN OTHER NEWS:

In explaining the reasons for this position, the committee considered the tender responses for staging and reflected on "what does success look like?"

This question was asked in light of the recent confirmation that the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) would be the Roxy Institute of Performing Arts (RIPA) partner agency in regional NSW over the next two years.

This includes investment in Leeton-based programs of $1.2 million ($600,000 in cash and $600,000 in kind). Roxy Redevelopment

Committee member Erin Draper said RIPA won't get the traction it needs if the facility is "half-baked", a sentiment which was echoed by fellow member Ruth Tait.

"RIPA is not only about stage performances, but also about building all the back of house capacity for young people wanting to develop careers in the performing arts," Mrs Tait said. "Now is not the time to cut corners.

Leeton actor Jake Speer left the town he grew up in to pursue his dream in the entertainment world, but said this new concept and upgrade would help others to learn right where they live.

"The Roxy Theatre played such an instrumental part in my early development as a performer," he said.

"Unfortunately, in order to further my study and gain additional performance experience, I had no choice but to leave town.

"To know Leeton now has the chance to create a venue to inspire and train regional performers and technicians is incredibly exciting.

"Not only is this an opportunity to support local talent, but it's also a beacon to attract other students, experts, audiences and business partners to Leeton. There is so much potential here, the future possibilities are endlessly exciting."

Reflecting on the importance of the Roxy as the heart of the Leeton CBD and an anchor showpiece on the proposed Art Deco Way Tourist drive, committee member Bill Barwick said the project needed to be "right from the start".

"Having a fully-functioning town hall and performing arts venue is key to attracting and retaining workforce for Leeton businesses and industries as it makes the shire a wonderful place to live, work and play," he said.

"We simply can't do half a job."

Roxy project director Katherine Herrmann said there were three key reasons to support proceeding with the full project immediately.

"Firstly, we are finally achieving full compliance in regards disabled access, fire compliance and safety for workers and patrons - all long overdue," she said.

"Secondly, if we were to build the Roxy from scratch it would cost in excess of $20 million in today's money. Being able to achieve a modern day facility in a beautiful heritage building for half that amount is money well spent and will be an intergenerational asset.

"Lastly, staging is complicated and there will need to be substantial enabling works, including structural support works done in advance, some of which then has to be redone later.

"This could easily add several more million to the project which could be avoided if we find ways to proceed with the full project now."

At its recent meeting, the redevelopment committee members reflected on over 100 letters of support for the project from local community members, groups, schools and businesses and a petition organised by Leeton Connect with over 65 not-for-profit signatories.

"I have never seen this much community support for a project and I believe getting the full project done requires all of us to put our shoulder to the wheel to ensure our Grand Old Lady remains relevant to and appreciated by future generations," member Judy Nolan said.

"I, for one, will be doing my bit to help raise the funds to get the full Roxy project across the line."

Council will hold an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to determine whether to stage the project or not.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: