{"id":14941,"date":"2012-11-01T23:15:07","date_gmt":"2012-11-01T13:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=14941"},"modified":"2024-03-22T14:55:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:55:20","slug":"curtain-rises-on-performing-arts-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2012\/11\/01\/curtain-rises-on-performing-arts-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"Curtain Rises On Performing Arts Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Stanwell’s Jenny Gregg and P&C President Debbie Jackson inspect a practice room in the new Performing Arts Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 1, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stage 1 of the long-discussed South Burnett Performing Arts Centre in Kingaroy has hosted its first public function to great acclaim … which means fund-raising for the all-important Stage 2 of the project can now begin in earnest.<\/p>\n

The centre is located in the grounds of the Kingaroy State High School but is not solely for school use.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Stanwell Corporation held its community stakeholder consultation meeting in the building.<\/p>\n

Students began using the rooms recently, but this is the first time an outside group has used the space. And everyone seemed very impressed!<\/p>\n

The idea of a Performing Arts Centre – which could hold major entertainment events as well as double as a conference centre – has travelled a rocky road to fruition … and it’s still only halfway there.<\/p>\n

An earlier proposal that a centre be built at Kingaroy Showground faltered in 2008 after the South Burnett National Show Society withdrew from the project citing financial constraints.<\/p>\n

Controversy also surrounded a suggestion at that time that the centre include an interpretative area for tourists looking for information about former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.<\/p>\n

These earlier suggestions were replaced by the concept of a joint school\/public use facility to be built in the grounds of the high school.<\/p>\n

The school sought support from Council last year in regards to site preparation and earthworks for Stage 1 of the project. This was granted and work quickly began on construction.<\/p>\n

The $1.5 million Stage 1 consists of fully sound-proofed practice and rehearsal rooms, storage areas, toilets and staff offices.<\/p>\n

P&C President Debbie Jackson said the project started more than 10 years ago with a dream for a facility which both the school and the wider community could use.<\/p>\n

“Tarong (now Stanwell) has been a partner with us from the beginning,” she said.<\/p>\n

Initially Tarong supplied $15,000, the then-Kingaroy Shire Council put up $15,000 and the P&C raised $15,000 for a feasibility study.<\/p>\n

As the project dragged on, it became apparent that the study would have to be updated. Stanwell kicked in another $5000 and the South Burnett Regional Council put in $35,000 to allow this to take place.<\/p>\n

Funding has come from a range of sources, including $512,000 from the Smart School Subsidy Scheme and $480,000 from P&C fundraising. \u00a0South Burnett Regional Council contributed $42,500 for earthworks.<\/p>\n

As the opening deadline approached, Stanwell came to the rescue with another $35,000 to assist with the fitout.<\/p>\n

Stage 2 – at an estimated cost of $6 million – will consist of a 500-seat auditorium and cafe and will be built next to Stage 1.<\/p>\n

This industry-standard multi-purpose facility would be able to host stage performances, exhibitions, conferences and functions.<\/p>\n

Because the buildings are located on school land, all maintenance and running costs will be covered by Education Queensland.<\/p>\n

However, on-going corporate and community support is required to make Stage 2 a reality.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The KSHS P&C Association can issue a tax-deductible receipt for all donations over $2, with cheques made out to the \u201cParents\u2019 & Citizens\u2019 Building Fund\u201d.<\/p>\n