Whitehorse Ready for an Upgrade? Or Something New?

The City of Whitehorse may well become the theatre capital of Melbourne if the plan to redevelop the city’s performing arts centre gets the go-ahead.

The council approved a $162,000 feasibility study last week, subject to Federal and State Government funding, in a bid to turn the Whitehorse Centre into a regional facility.

Councillors were divided over the proposal with Mayor Ben Stennett electing to use his casting vote to pass the motion.

The council had initially planned only an upgrade to the current Whitehorse Centre on Whitehorse Road.

Member of Babirra Music Theatre Jo Buckingham says, “I don’t know that building a new 1200 seat theatre is necessary.  Just improve on the current theatre – a complete overhaul… behind the scenes at the theatre, the function rooms and parking facilities.”

The major overhaul would cater for a second theatre with a 1200 seat capacity, function centre, existing theatre revamp, art gallery, prop room and a multi-level car park.

“I doubt there would be any amateur/community theatre groups out there that could afford to hire a new 1200 seat theatre, nor get the bums on seats which everyone is struggling for these days – and that’s in a theatre of only 400 odd. I feel it would be a waste of tax payers’ money for such a huge venue, but money well spent if just upgrading current venue and facilities”, says Buckingham.

A progress report found the current 408-seat theatre seating and function space was limited, the foyer, box office and dressing rooms required expansion and the car parking had been insufficient. Visitors to the centre have increased 34.5 per cent in the past five years.

Cr Mark Lane said the study was a chance to investigate whether Whitehorse could be leaders when it came to theatre productions in the east.

But Cr John Koutras hit back saying the current centre served its purpose. “Our key assets are not in performing arts but in health services and garbage collection and providing the basics that people need,” he said. “There are plenty of these regional centres around which have become white elephants and massive losses.”

What could this have meant for Whitehorse Musical Theatre? And what does this mean for the companies of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs? Let us know your thoughts.