Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre Masterplan opened for Public Review

Wagga Wagga City Council is calling for community feedback for the draft Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre - Performing Arts Masterplan to ensure the plans for the future of the venue are informed by local residents.

At the end of 2023, Wagga Wagga City Council gave the community the opportunity to choose between two cultural precinct concepts: Project A - a new entertainment, conference and convention centre, or Project B - the upgrade and expansion of the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.

The results from this process showed that both concepts brought strong support from the community.

Rather than pursue one to the disadvantage of the other, the Council is progressing both concepts to be ready for grant funding, although it acknowledges that neither of the two cultural precinct concepts can be delivered without significant funding from other levels of governments.

The community will now have a chance to view the full suite of previously unreleased concept images for the proposed Project B - Civic Theatre upgrade.

Wagga Wagga City Council Director Community Janice Summerhayes reiterates that this stage of the cultural precinct project is one of many stages before it comes to fruition.

She explains "the draft Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre Masterplan outlines the way forward to develop a contemporary performing arts centre that meets the current and future needs of the community.

"There is a long process that unfolds before plans like this are built, but having a solid plan and a blueprint in place allows us to be ready to apply for grant funding when it becomes available."

The draft masterplan details an expansion of the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre which will include three performance venues; an upgrade to the existing Basement Theatre; and an increase to the capacity of the overall space from 491 to 1,465.

Venue 1 is the original Civic Theatre. Under the proposed plan, it will maintain 491 seats in the current auditorium and the original façade will remain.

Venue 2 is a new live music venue with a 774-person standing capacity, 328-person theatre style capacity or 270-people banquet style capacity (around tables). The design for this space maintains a focus on effective, flexible use, and also includes a retractable window/wall for indoor/outdoor events on the lagoon.

A concept artwork of new venues that may be added to a theatre building. ADDITIONS: the draft Civic Theatre Performing Arts Masterplan features additional venues added to the existing Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.

The remaining venue presented in the draft plan is an intimate gig and event space, with capacity for holding 119 seated guests or 200 standing.

The draft Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre - Performing Arts Masterplan is currently on public exhibition to allow feedback from the community until 5pm, Friday 10th May 2024.

Following the public exhibition period, the Council will receive a further report addressing any submissions and proposing any amendments to the plan that are considered appropriate.

Images: Concept artwork for a new Wagga Wagga performing arts centre.