A New Performing Arts Facility
We believe it’s time to undertake long term planning for a dedicated Performing Arts precinct in the Hawkesbury.
Consider: There are two performance venues in our city. Richmond School of Arts is a colonial architectural gem, but is an intimate and very constrained space. I secured grant funding over the years to upgrade its lighting and sound systems.
Windsor Function Centre was built by Council in 1980, and frankly it’s showing its age.
There’s just no tiered-seating venue in the Hawkesbury for mid-size theatrical or musical productions. Yet Penrith has the Joan Sutherland Centre, Blue Mountains has the new Hub at Springwood, and Hills Shire has the new Pioneer Theatre.
Any new centre could become a thriving cultural precinct, and there are already many musical, theatre and creative groups in the Hawkesbury who would love to make use of it, in addition to schools. Consultation will determine whether to redevelop the current WFC site or find a new location.
Such a project will take time to bring to fruition, but with leadership from Council, we can attract the State and Federal funding required to make it a reality.
Watch our video, where fellow GROUP ‘A’ candidate Ben Newton lays out our vision.