Work is on track at Goulburn's new performing arts centre for an October/November opening.
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Up to 50 workers are toiling away on the $18.95 million Auburn Street project daily. Zauner Constructions is converting the former McDermott Centre into a 404-seat performance venue.
Councillors were treated to a tour of the site on Tuesday. All pre-cast panels forming the auditorium's outer perimeter have been installed, thanks to a large onsite crane. Roof slabs have also been lifted into place over the auditorium and back of house.
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Site manager Doug Christian said considerable progress had occurred with completion of concreting for seating, sloping down to the 180 square metre stage area, which had also been laid. Catwalks have been installed above the seating and and a control room above the stage has been finished.
Mr Christian has worked on many small and large projects across the state, including nursing homes, large apartment buildings, hospitals and mud houses. He said the performing arts centre posed several challenges incorporating the old and new but the original EC Manfred designed building remained sturdy.
"The 1887 build is still in really good condition," he said.
"The amount of cracking is minimal for its age but like anything, there are still repairs to do."
The original building's rear wall was demolished to provide a connection. Two arched glass double doors will be a special feature in this section. Steel support arches are already visible. The doors will connect the box office and foyer to the auditorium.
The old building will also house a bar and cafe and an exhibition space that will be used to to advantage on opening night.
Mr Christian said cornices and the original pine ceiling in the old council chambers would be retained.
The old Town Hall has offered up few secrets of its past during the project. Workers did, however, find 1880s receipt books for water and other rates in the attic.
The rear addition will stand autonomously to the old. The new building will have glass on its rear wall to the roof, allowing maximum light and a sky view.
Mr Christian expects a crane to remain onsite until the end of April to help lift materials into the constrained site. The council has applied to the state government to compulsorily acquire a 256 square metre strip in Post Office Lane at the rear to widen the thoroughfare. This is designed to enable easier delivery of stage production materials in future.
Meantime, the council's operations director Matt O'Rourke acknowledged public concerns about the installation of a large red fire booster box on the Auburn Street frontage. The equipment enables a connection for fire authorities.
He told The Post he'd be recommending to a meeting next month that the box remain in its current location but be reduced in size, painted and used as a signage area for the PAC, with landscaping around.
Councillors will make the final decision.
But soon attention will turn to the building's fit-out. Zauner Constructions will also undertake this work.
So far, $10,514,663 of the total $18.9m budget has been spent. Commissioning is scheduled to occur from June until September, with the project to be completed by late October.
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