Lithgow City Council has successfully secured $775,664 in funding to upgrade the Lithgow Union Theatre.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This will add to the $400,000 contributed by Lithgow ratepayers, leaving the theatre with a $1.175 million enhancement.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced the funding came as part of the NSW Government’s $100 million Regional Cultural Fund.
“This is a fabulous outcome for the Lithgow region, and I know this project will bring a great deal of joy to the residents of the city,” MP Toole said.
“This project will transform the Union Theatre to support increased participation in a thriving arts and cultural sector in the local community.”
Mayor Stephen Lesslie said, while Lithgow City Council was pleased to be the recipient of the grant, it will continue to lobby for employment generating investment in Lithgow.
“Although council contributes substantial funds in its own right for such ventures, we are continually surprised by these announcements by the State Government which seem to occur without council knowledge or participation, notwithstanding the staff’s exceptional efforts in compiling competitive applications based on funds provided by our community,” Cr Lesslie said.
President of the Lithgow Musical Society, Paul Goodwin said a lot of the work would benefit the performers behind the scenes.
“We are the primary users of this space, with two shows a year and rehearsals every week, so we hope to create a green room where our performers can wait, because the wings are so small and we have performers waiting out in the cold,” Mr Goodwin said.
“We will update the lighting, and use LED lights which are more environmentally friendly, we can update our sound systems and put on stronger shows.
“Sometimes we have casts as big as 50 people and they have to get dressed in Coates hire sheds that the council brings in and then takes away after a performance.”
As part of the Union Theatre management committee, a group of dedicated members have been lobbying for the funding since 2012.
“It’s always been on the cards so it is good that it finally happened,” musical director Rae Burton said.
“Hopefully this will attract outside performers, and we will be able to host shows that would normally only go to Bathurst or Orange because they have better facilities.”
When the works take place the theatre space will not be usable for any performances.
Lithgow City Council estimates that the finished works will be ready to unveil in August 2019.
Read more: