The vibrancy and evolution of Latrobe City requires cultural assets to match the growing and changing needs of Gippsland's regional city.
Construction of the Latrobe Creative Precinct, a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, will incorporate a 750-seat venue, multi-purpose meeting rooms, outdoor event spaces, including one in the style of an amphitheatre, and an underground car park.
The Precinct will deliver on the community's vision to enhance Latrobe City's reputation as a creative arts and cultural destination and is designed to attract a greater diversity of high quality productions from around Australia and internationally, ensuring that Gippsland's regional city benefits from the $30 billion injection that creative industries contribute annually to the Australian economy.
Work at the Precinct construction site continues to advance under the guidance of Becon Constructions (Australia) Pty Ltd.
Excavation works for the first stage, and the most visible element of the project to date, commenced in late October. The underground car park and the sub-basement, which sits under the main stage at the eastern end of the excavated area, will house, among other things, the orchestra pit at the front of the stage.
The remainder of the excavated area will be dedicated to underground car parking with a total of 74 spaces including two accessible spaces. A decision relating to the underground car park operations will be made by Council prior to the opening of the new facility.
This work followed the transferal of perimeter power lines to underground, removal of trees and infrastructure such as rubbish bins, seating and outdoor lighting and the erection of site fencing to ensure the safety of both contractors and the community.
As the creative arts landscape transforms, the Precinct will be seen rising from the ground. This will include the construction of a large fly tower along Church Street.
A fly tower is used by theatre companies to quickly change scenes as it allows for stage crew to fly (hoist) curtains, lights, scenery, special effects and sometimes even performers off stage and into the tower, or fly loft, above it. It also allows for lighting to be suspended from beams, directly above the stage improving the flexibility and use of the theatre.
This piece of infrastructure will ensure that Latrobe City is home to one of the best regional arts centres in Australia.
Community based performers and theatre groups will be encouraged to ply their craft in the custom-built performance space when the Precinct is complete in mid-2021.
During the Construction the existing Latrobe Performing Arts Centre will remain open and the 2020 Season will kick off uninterrupted by the Latrobe Creative Precinct construction. The 2020 Latrobe Performing Arts Season will officially kick off 7pm Thursday at the Season Launch event.
The Latrobe Performing Arts Season Launch will showcase the performances that have been carefully curated to offer the Latrobe City community and visitors a diverse and stimulating range of shows to attend.
Latrobe Performing Arts is proud to attract state and national based theatre company's as part of this years season, whilst also welcoming local community theatre company's.
The Latrobe Performing Arts 2020 season is sure to engage and delight audiences; but also provide opportunities for reflection. Whether you enjoy comedy, live music, children's theatre or drama, this season will not disappoint.
Latrobe Performing Arts, is very proud to offer our community opportunities to engage with, and participate in the arts. In 2020, Latrobe Performing Arts are offering two memberships to encourage this engagement; a Film Membership and a Theatre Membership. Both of these memberships are on sale now.
The Season Launch is a free event, bookings are essential. Contact the Box Office on 5176 3333 or online www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/lpawhatson.
