The sale of the Lilac Time Hall has possibly opened the way for a new performing arts centre to be built in Goulburn.
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Selling for $500,000, Goulburn City Council community development officer Jim Styles said the sale of the Lilac Time Hall, which went through on October 17, had reached the estimated figure.
Proceeds from the sale, after debts on the building are paid off, will be set aside to help fund a performing arts centre for the city. The council is yet to confirm how much money will remain after loans on the building are paid.
While the council has received considerable community interest for a new centre, Mr Styles said it would not be viable for the council to build a completely new performing arts centre on their own.
The council’s performing arts committee has been considering possible venues.
“About 10 buildings were investigated. But for one reason or another some were not suitable,” Mr Styles said.
The committee considered three possible options. These included injecting funds into the Lieder Theatre or PCYC to establish one of them as a performing arts centre.
However the option which appears to be most favoured is a proposed joint project between three schools, Goulburn High, Wollondilly Public and the Crescent, with the council and local dramatic societies.
The project would involve the sale of some land around the Wollondilly Public School to help fund the hall’s construction. Once built, the facility would be used by students during the school day, and by local dramatic societies in the evenings and at weekends.
The schools are seeking advice from the Education Department about the sale of the land.
“They are looking at their requirements, and we are looking at our requirements,” Mr Styles said.
Early last year the school principals anticipated the hall could also be used for sports and health classes.
If the joint project does go ahead, Mr Styles said the council has already gained an “in principle” agreement from the schools that will allow community access to the facility.
Several performance groups have registered their interest, including the Goulburn Regional Conservatorium of Music.
Mr Styles said if the joint project is pursued, it will be some years before it is complete.
