Work is nearing completion at the $18.95 million Goulburn Performing Arts Centre. Photo: Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
The first tickets for performances at the new $18.95 million Goulburn Performing Arts Centre will go on sale at 3 pm today (Tuesday, 23 November).
After almost five years of planning and construction – compounded by the effects of COVID-19 – the performing arts centre is preparing for its official opening and season launch in March 2022.
“We are right at the finishing line for this historic project, which will have an enormous impact on Goulburn and the surrounding region,” said Goulburn Mulwaree Council general manager Warwick Bennett.
“The message we have for our community is that this theatre is stunning, and you will have a huge choice of shows and programs to enjoy in our city from March next year.”
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre manager Raina Savage has assembled a packed program of commercial hire shows, community performances and the centre’s own subscription season to ensure the first year of performances in the state-of-the-art 400-seat venue has something for everyone.
“From when the doors open, we will have something happening just about every weekend, and often during the week with school shows and seniors concerts,” she said.
“We are launching our own curated season program as part of the official opening, but to whet your appetite we are kicking things off with sales to a select and very diverse array of shows put on by commercial hirers.”
Ongoing construction work at the Goulburn Performing Arts Centre. Photo: Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
When ticket sales go live at 3 pm, audience members can choose from country music, classic Aussie pop, Irish dance, outrageous drag, and some of Australia’s best tribute shows.
Locals can also sign up for an exclusive premium membership package, which includes tickets to the VIP preshow season launch event, commemorative merchandise, exclusive members’ events throughout the year, and generous membership offers.
“We are so excited to be finally inviting our audience to buy tickets and preparing to welcome them as guests into this brilliant new community facility,” said Ms Savage.
“Construction has really ramped up and the fit-out of the building is starting to take shape. After the challenges of the past few years, we look forward to celebrating, creating and collaborating with our Goulburn Performing Arts Centre family in 2022.”
The new centre has been built on the site of the old Goulburn Town Hall, and the heritage-listed status of the existing building has added to the complexity of the build.
Earlier in construction of the facility, Goulburn Heritage Group expressed hope the project could become an Australia-wide example of what is possible with historic buildings.
“It would be wonderful if Goulburn could demonstrate how proud we are of this city’s history, of its built heritage, of its main commercial city architecture, and of our intellectual arts appreciation and its need for ongoing support,” said a Goulburn Heritage Group spokesperson.
The original town hall was designed by acclaimed Goulburn architect Edmund Cooper Manfred. When the building was completed in 1889, with a steep roof comprising Welsh slates, Manfred remarked the materials were more expensive than those usually used in Goulburn.
For details of the available shows and to purchase tickets, visit the Goulburn Mulwaree Council website, or Goulburn Performing Arts Centre’s Facebook page.
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