Built in the 70s the Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium has been its fair share of song, dance and speech, but the space will be closed now for five months while a major refurbishment takes place.
The venue has received funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund to do up parts of the auditorium and work is now underway.
The auditorium was built in 1974 and upgrades will bring it up to modern standards for accessibility, energy efficiency and functionality. Once completed, the upgraded facility will create modern, attractive and functional cultural spaces for current and future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy.
The $1.3 million project by funded by NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund ($1.14 million) and
Tweed Shire Council ($186,000) will include: the removal of asbestos from auditorium ceiling; replacement of the roof to fix persistent leaks; technical upgrades to theatre equipment, such as lighting and sound; refurbishment of the foyer and provision of accessible toilets; accessible access to stage and backstage areas, and; backstage refurbishment and addition of an accessible toilet.
All asbestos removal works are taking place in accordance with statutory regulations. All works will be sealed and contained with no risk to staff or the public.
Local groups happy about upgrade
Dianne Robinson from the Murwillumbah Theatre Company says she is very excited about the renovations.
‘Council invited us to give ideas and feedback – they collaborated with several of the groups who use the auditorium and in public forums.
‘We are very much looking forward to the roof being repaired and not having it leaking on the stage.’
Ms Robinson says she is grateful all the big infrastructure of the venue will be upgraded in particular the disability access as catering to a diversity of patrons is important to the company, but it’s the glitzy part of the work which is the top of her wish list.
‘The thing we are most excited about is sound and lighting upgrade. The current set up is from the 70s and it’s expensive and it’s hot.
Refurbishes space will be cooler and more sustainable
‘When the light change to LEDs it will be more sustainable but also cooler – cooler in the hall and on stage and using the air-con will be more efficient, which will be cheaper for those who use the venue.’
Ms Robinson says that renovations won’t be done in time for the company’s next show, Elsie and Norm’s MacBeth, which will be held over three weekends from March 27 at the Autumn Club, Stoker’s Siding Hall and the Tumbulgum halls respectively, but they are planning to have their mid-year production, Keeping Up Appearances in the refurbished venue. ‘We are thrilled we will be using the new lighting and sound.’
The Brunswick Valley School of Dance has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with the hall as the site for the end of year concert and as eisteddfod participants in the annual Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts.
‘Our dance school has been using the Civic Centre for almost 10 years,’ says school principal Ruby Jeffery. ‘It is great to have such a professional space in the local area and, we are excited to hold our show in the renovated auditorium at the end of the year.
‘I know that the hundreds of performers and the audience who use the hall during the eisteddfod will love the new space.’
The auditorium will be closed from January to May 2020 while these works are carried out. During this time there will be some parking and traffic changes around the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre and access to the Canvas and Kettle room and vehicle entry ramp will be closed from January to April 2020, including the disabled parking bays.
Alternate options for accessibility will be provided and a disabled car park will be established near the base of the disabled pedestrian ramp in the existing bus parking area. The pedestrian ramp to access the Murwillumbah Civic Centre administration office will remain open.
Dianne Robinson says that the theatre company is pleased that Council got the grant for the work. ‘It’s going to make such a difference.’ she said.
‘Bearing in mind the current disaster would mean that grant funds may not be available, we would love a follow-up grant to allow the seating to be modernised for the comfort of the audiences.’
For more information about the upgrade and to give feedback, visit www.yoursaytweed.com.au/MCC-AuditoriumUpgrade.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
