New Council-owned entity to run renamed Sutherland Entertainment Centre

Sutherland Shire Council has voted to have an independent not-for-profit company run its upgraded Sutherland Entertainment Centre - and that the venue will be renamed The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre as of its reopening in 2023.

The Council-owned company will also operate the boutique Sutherland Arts Theatre in the 1921 Sutherland Memorial School of Arts, which is also being upgraded.

Sutherland Shire Council gave in-principle support for this operational structure earlier this year, and, following community consultation, confirmation came at its Council meeting last week.

Similar complexes with this structure in NSW include the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Art House Wyong and The Joan Penrith.

The Council resolution included that cultural events to be procured will have an expenditure of less than $250,000 per event and exempt from the requirements for tendering and/or are unique, sporadically available, and of a short-term duration, do not have comparable competition in the market and can be lost if not secured on a commercial basis.

The Council needs approval from the NSW Minister for Local Government to apply to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to create and register the company, but it foresees not problems with that process.

Construction work on the $41 million upgrade is expected to be completed by December and the centre opened early in 2023.

The operating company will be called The Pavilion: Performing Arts Centre Sutherland Limited.

The Council will be the sole shareholder and will appoint the initial directors of the company in accordance with the proposed company constitution.

The board will comprise six members with specialist experience in cultural facilities, community engagement and arts management and marketing and three representatives from council.

Image: Artist's impression of the completed venue. Credit: Sutherland Shire Council.