The Batemans Bay community deserves an iconic arts facility. Council agrees with Bay Chamber president David MacLachlan on that point.
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Council is well aware of Mr MacLachlan's view about the size of the theatre and the type of events the theatre can and should support. The initial business case for the Batemans Bay Aquatic, Arts and Leisure Centre at Mackay Park did recommend 500 seats. However, following consultation with theatre specialist Richard Stuart, it was recommended that a theatre of 350 seats was most appropriate for Eurobodalla now and into the future. Our research also included discussions with those responsible for similar facilities throughout NSW, ACT, Victoria, our neighbours in Shoalhaven, along with a range of touring theatre and performance companies. The size of the stage and supporting infrastructure is baselined against PAC Australia's 2017 Economic Activity and Venue Charges and Salaries reports and VAPAC's Australian Design and Technical Benchmarks for Performing Arts Centres.
Our theatre is proposed to have tiered seating for 350 and quality lighting, sound and fittings - the things theatre companies told us were important. They also told us they would prefer to stage a second show than perform in a half empty 1,000-seat facility. The new theatre will rightly serve a different function to other venues in Batemans Bay.
The new facility will never be a "glorified community centre". We have always aimed to accommodate the needs of the current Community Centre users in the new facility, knowing we might potentially sell or lease the community centre and visitor centre as an income stream for the new centre. Council knows those community centre users and their financial capacity. Claims that Council will charge exorbitant fees for access to the facility are untrue. We want a vibrant space where everyone is welcome.
Finally, your assertion that architects have been designing the centre without a business case is incorrect. The business case was endorsed by Council well before NBRS Architecture was engaged. The discussion you refer to was about a concept of operations that outlines how spaces might be programmed, not the business case, which has been available on Council's website since 2017. Council will continue to consider business and management matters as part of the design process, as per Council's resolved position.
Edited extract from Eurobodalla Council's response to Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber president David MacLachlan regarding a petition to keep the community centre.