Refurbishment of Illawarra Performing Arts Centre now underway

A $4 million renovation project at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre is underway, with the popular Wollongong venue to be closed until the middle of the year.

Closed since 21st December, when the front of the building was cordoned off, the work will include re-sheeting and refurbishment of the roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement works.

Commenting on the need for the works program, Wollongong City Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery stated “since the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre was opened by King Charles III, the then Prince of Wales, on a summer’s day in January 1988 it has hosted a wide variety of performances and social events.

“While it was a cutting-edge building at the time, it’s now showing signs of its age. If we want the building to be here for another 35 years, we need to bring it up to the mark.”

Other elements of the refurbishment will include:

• Replacement of seating in the IMB and Bruce Gordon Theatres, carpet replacement and accessibility improvements to ensure the facility meets legislative requirements

• Installation and commissioning of a new hearing loop system to service the box office, IMB and Bruce Gordon Theatres

• Accessibility upgrade of existing amenities servicing both theatres

• IPAC foyer upgrades including bar areas

While the Arts Precinct will be fenced off, pedestrians will still be able to walk past the back of the Wollongong Art Gallery and Wollongong Town Hall buildings and past An Chut Chut to use Ethel Hayton Walkway to lower Crown Street.

While the Centre is closed, its resident Merrigong Theatre Company will still be active, with the company advising “we will be making great use of the Wollongong Town Hall, presenting a number of shows in an intimate theatre mode with raked seating.”

The Company’s Box Office will also be located at Town Hall while work on the IPAC building is underway.

Merringong went on to advise “on reopening we can look forward to vibrant, refreshed interiors, improved accessibility for all, a new air conditioning and heating system, and brand-new theatre seats.”

Image: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Credit: Merrigong Theatre Company.