The Roxy Redevelopment Committee met last week to get an update on the project and to recommend to Council a path forward. The meeting was called to consider Council's recent decision to reject tenders on price, in favour of entering into direct negotiation with the preferred tenderer, the Lloyd Group, and brokering meetings with the builder and local Leeton contractors who were being encouraged to put in a bid.
The full project currently faces a $3M funding gap after the Commonwealth Building Better Region's Fund application was not supported, exacerbated by cost escalations from Covid, which has impacted supply chains and steel prices for example. Council will be deliberating later this week on whether to proceed with a staged project or 'bite the bullet' to get the full project done.
The full redevelopment of the Roxy will deliver a beautifully restored heritage building that serves as the Shire's Town Hall / Civic Centre, state of the art Theatre, Cinema, CBD activation hub and an outpost for artistic excellence (RIPA, Roxy Institute of Performing Arts), with the footprint extending into the former Movie Café and Crate Café which Council acquired in 2020.
The Roxy Redevelopment Committee has resolved to recommend to Council that this important multifunctional space needs to be developed in one go, and not be staged. To show their commitment, the Committee has pledged to raise $1M themselves towards the funding shortfall if further attempts at federal government partnership funding don't deliver a result.
In explaining the reasons for their position, the Roxy Redevelopment Committee considered the tender responses for staging and reflected on "What does success look like?" in the light of NIDA's recent confirmation that RIPA will be its partner agency in regional NSW over the next 2 years including investment in Leeton-based programs of $1.2 million ($600,000 in cash and $600,000 in kind). NIDA is the National Institute of Dramatic Arts.
Member of the Roxy Redevelopment Committee, Erin Draper, said that RIPA simply won't get the traction it needs if the facility is 'half-baked. Apart from delivering high quality programs to our community it's the economic imperative of having high quality amenities that attract and retain a skilled labour force."
"RIPA is not only about stage performances, but also about building all the back of house capacity for young people wanting to develop careers in the performing arts. Now is not the time to cut corners." - Ruth Tait - RRC Member
This sentiment is strongly shared by Jake Speers who, like many Leeton residents, had to leave town
"The Roxy Theatre played such an instrumental part in my early development as a performer. Unfortunately, in order to further my study and gain additional performance experience I had no choice but to leave town. To know that Leeton now has the chance to create a venue to inspire and train regional performers and technicians is incredibly exciting. Not only is this an opportunity to support local talent but it's also a beacon to attract other students, experts, audiences and business partners to Leeton. There is so much potential here, the future possibilities are endlessly exciting."
Reflecting on the importance of the Roxy as the heart of the Leeton CBD and an anchor showpiece on the proposed Art Deco Way Tourist drive, RRC Member Bill Barwick says :
"We need to get this right from the start and the success of the town centre redevelopment will follow. Having a fully-functioning town hall and performing arts venue is key to attracting and retaining workforce for Leeton businesses and industries as it makes the Shire a wonderful place to live, work and play. We simply can't do half a job."
Contemplating the value of the investment required to deliver the full Roxy vision, RRC member and (Voluntary) Roxy Project Director Katherine Herrmann, with two decades of experience in delivery of cultural and civic infrastructure said there were 3 key reasons to support proceeding with the full project immediately.
"Firstly, we are finally achieving full compliance in regards disabled access, fire compliance and safety for workers and patrons - all long overdue. Secondly, if we were to build the Roxy from scratch it would cost in excess of $20M in today's money. Being able to achieve a modern day facility in a beautiful heritage building for half that amount is money well spent and will be an intergenerational asset.
"Lastly, staging is complicated and there will need to be substantial enabling works, including structural support works done in advance, some of which then has to be redone later. This could easily add several more million to the project which could be avoided if we find ways to proceed with the full project now", said Ms Herrmann.
At their meeting, the RRC members reflected on over 100 letters of support for the project from local community members, groups, schools and businesses and a petition organised by Leeton Connect with over 65 not-for-profit signatories.
Long term Eisteddfod President and stalwart, Judy Nolan, who is also a member of the RRC, said that the level of community support for the Roxy redevelopment project is unprecedented and completing the project will be an important legacy to leave future generations.
"I have never seen this much community support for a project and I believe getting the full project done requires all of us to put our shoulder to the wheel to ensure our Grand Old Lady remains relevant to and appreciated by future generations. I, for one, will be doing my bit to help raise the funds to get the full Roxy project across the line.
Council will be meeting on 04 November for an Extra Ordinary Meeting to determine whether to stage the Roxy Redevelopment Project or not, with a focus on affordability and fiscal responsibility.
