AusLeisure

Sunshine Coast Council has celebrated the completion of the $8.18 million redevelopment of its premier performing arts centre, The Events Centre Caloundra, which now boasts state-of-the-art technology, new catering facilities, a new lift and amenities and the latest sound equipment to ensure an optimum visitor experience.

The completion was marked today (14th February) with a colourful celebration of the venue’s almost 40-year history with Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Mark Jamieson; Sunshine Coast Councillor and Chairman of The Events Centre Board, Tim Dwyer and Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace leading the festivities alongside entertainment industry leaders and local performing arts enthusiasts.

Mayor Jamieson advised “Council’s investment of $5.18 million in transforming this vibrant performance hub is a key part of our commitment to the activation of Caloundra – our City of Beaches.

“This has been a regionally significant project for council, given The Events Centre is one of the largest function and performance venues on the Sunshine Coast.

“It will generate economic and community benefits for our region through the attraction of events which bring visitors to the Sunshine Coast, as well as providing opportunities for our residents to experience quality performances locally.

“This revitalisation of The Events Centre will ensure our healthy, smart, creative region continues to attract top end entertainment and performances, as well as an array of cultural opportunities and business events.

“The Events Centre also provides our home-grown talent from throughout the region a contemporary space to hone their craft, whether it’s our inventive local school students or esteemed coral singers.”  

Councillor Dwyer added that the redevelopment provides a contemporary and modern performance venue that is of a quality that the community can enjoy and be proud of for years to come noting “for generations our premier performance venue has hosted major conferences, corporate events and world-class performances.

“As well as helping to create unforgettable experiences for thousands of patrons, the upgraded Events Centre helps revitalise Caloundra’s CBD and provide positive economic flow-on for the surrounding businesses.

“This upgrade wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of the Australian Government who provided a $2.96 million grant under the Building Better Regions Fund and the generous community and business supporters who donated approximately $42,000.

“There’s an incredible variety of events already scheduled for this year, so I urge everyone to check-out the program and plan a visit soon.”

Adding that the project was one of only 100 which received funding from the Federal Government’s $841 million Building Better Regions fund, out of more than 500 applications, Andrew Wallace commented “I have been actively involved in supporting this project from the beginning and I could not be happier with the outstanding results we see around us.

“These upgrades are going to help us do even more to bring our community together, grow the local economy and draw tourists here with truly world-class performances.

“With Elton John already visiting the coast in March, who knows who might play right here in Caloundra in the years to come?”

The refurbishment of The Events Centre included:

• Foyer refurbishment upgrade
• Box office, bar counters and function room upgrades
• Beausang Room refurbishment
• Verandah Café upgrade
• New accessible amenities
• New accessible lift from carpark to foyer level
• Acoustic upgrades to theatre walls and ceiling
• New sound and lighting equipment
• Dividing walls between main theatre and Glass House Room
• Kitchen upgrade
• Main theatre and foyer heating ventilation and air conditioning
• Central and playhouse heating ventilation and air conditioning plant
• Playhouse reef plantation air handling units
• Main entrance (porte cochere and covered link), landscaping, pathways and signage.

Funding summary: The $8.18 million redevelopment of The Events Centre Caloundra was made possible with $5.18 million from Sunshine Coast Council, a $2.96 million grant from the Australian Government under the Building Better Regions Fund and the generous community and business supporters who donated approximately $42,000.

For more information on the venue go to https://theeventscentre.com.au/

Image shows (from left): Councillor Tim Dwyer, Andrew Wallace MP, Mayor Mark Jamieson and The Events Centre General Manager Gary Mears at the opening event.

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