Curtain Rises on new-look Logan Entertainment Centre

The enlarged and improved Logan Entertainment Centre is now fully open.
Unveiled on 1st November by Logan City Council Mayor Pam Parker, and open to the public as of today, the improvements to the popular entertainment venue signal a new chapter for both the entertainment industry and patrons of the Logan Central facility.
Mayor Parker said the extensions would meet the important needs of patrons, users, staff, and touring groups, stating "Council listened to what all stakeholders in this great facility have been telling us (and) we have taken this advice on board.
"The needs of the community and businesses that use this centre, the views of staff who work here, the patrons who visit the centre, and the touring groups who visit this facility to perform have all been addressed in these extensions.
"When the idea of Logan Entertainment Centre (LEC) was first mooted we knew in our mind what we wanted it to achieve.
"While we were delighted with the centre when it opened its doors in 2002, we knew it had the potential to be more. What we have now is the facility we always knew it could be and I am absolutely thrilled with the result."
Logan City Council Health, Sport and Community Services Chairperson, Councillor Phil Pidgeon added that the improvements were part of a master plan for the centre, all of which had now been achieved, stating âour decision to extend the LEC was underpinned by the widespread community support and escalating market demand.
"In the past two years, the facility has seen record numbers with up to 76 concerts in one year, 304 events in the same year and more than 87,000 guests through the doors."
Councillor Pidgeon said the renovation work included new back-of-house facilities and upgrades to the food and beverage and hospitality facilities, adding âthe back-of-house facilities now include gender specific change rooms, a VIP dressing room, a green room and extended entrance and corridor area.�?
Mayor Parker said the extensions had created numerous employment opportunities with 100 part-time jobs (equivalent to 30 full time positions) created during construction and a further 20 part-time positions created to operate the new facilities.
The total project cost was just under $5 million with the Australian Government contributing $2.855 million under the Regional Local Community Infrastructure Program and Council providing $2.1 million towards the project.
Logan is home to 260,000 people and is a rapidly growing community in Greater Brisbane.
Logan City Councilâs Major Venues and Facilities Branch, managers of the LEC along with the Council's aquatic centres and sports facilities, are profiled in the November/December 2010 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.