The culmination of work on two major projects totalling almost $30 million will be celebrated this weekend.
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Governor General David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd) will open the new $18.95m Performing Arts Centre (PAC) in Auburn Street on Friday night before 400 invited guests ahead of a gala show. The community will have its first glimpse of the 400-seat venue at the same show on Saturday.
Also on Saturday, Mayor Peter Walker will open the new $7m Goulburn Regional Hockey Facility off Finlay Road, which includes a new water based synthetic field, car park, lighting and an amenities block, with the latter due for completion later this year.
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"This weekend in particular shows just how diverse Goulburn is," Mayor Peter Walker said.
"These are all good things for the community. These two projects and the (soon to opened) aquatic centre upgrade will also service the surrounding area."
Cartoonist and historian Warren Brown will emcee the PAC opening, to which Hume MP Angus Taylor and member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman are also invited.
Local actor and former councillor, Alfie Walker and wife Alecia have directed the opening show, titled REeNTRANCE. It's described as a collaboration using drama, storytelling, dance, song, costumes, stagecraft and music. It will capture stories inspired by the elements in the form of an aboriginal message stick.
"Our message is thus: the arts are thriving within the Goulburn region and deserve a permanent stage for celebration," a council spokesman said.
The show involves up to 60 performers from Goulburn and district and highlights local artistic and theatrical groups' best performances over the years, at the same time looking to the future.
Hume Conservatorium Rock Con members will finish the show with a specially composed rock song.
While Friday's event is for invited guests, the PAC will throw open its doors to the community at 5.30pm Saturday. People will have a chance to look around before the 7.30pm REeNTRANCE show.
Tickets are still available for $10 and can be purchased through the GPAC website at https://www.goulburnpac.com.au/ or by calling 48234 999.
A season launch will also be held on April 2 incorporating a family fun day from 10am to 2pm and an evening party with music food and wine. The weekend of free entertainment will conclude with the first show of the season - the short-film festival titled Flickerfest - on Sunday, April 3 at 5pm.
Zauner Constructions has completed the Brewster Hjorth designed centre over the past two years. It adaptively re-uses the 1887 former Goulburn Town Hall. The design tips its lid to the past with caricatures of 10 'players' in the site and surrounds' history. They include a war nurse, trap door, performer, mechanic, citizens, prisoner, fireman, mayor, town clerk and 'The Meeting.'
"The council is incredibly proud of the preservation of the heritage building, which has been stunningly transformed and now houses the Meeting Place bar, and a cafe/lounge area as well as offices upstairs," a spokesman said.
"The theatre fills a cultural gap in our region, as there has been no building of the size and technical capability to attract touring shows. We are now able to do this, while also providing a wonderful venue for our community to visit and use."
On Saturday morning, Mr Taylor, Ms Tuckerman, Goulburn District Hockey Association president Sharney Fleming, a Hockey NSW representative and community members will attend the hockey complex's opening.
Cr Walker said the local fraternity was "over the moon" they had a home with a 'state-of-the-art' facility, which would attract state and regional competitions.
"We will also look at extending the life of the other field. It will need to be upgraded to a water-based field as well," he said.
"We can't sit on our hands because it only has a certain life and we'll need a program and war chest to replace it."
The council will apply for grants for this work. Tenders for the amenities building are being advertised. It is expected to be finished towards the end of this year.
Meantime, the aquatic centre will open on Aprilo 29.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
