The aging Sutherland Entertainment Centre will be unrecognisable after a major renovation, initial concept plans reveal.
The drab building, which opened 42 years ago, will be transformed into a modern, attractive and more functional centre that is better connected to adjoining Peace Park.
Sutherland Shire Council is inviting community feedback on three concept designs that will be displayed in the Entertainment Centre from today (Thursday) for two weeks.
The council is not asking residents to pick one design over another, but rather to choose the best features from each so they can be incorporated into the final design brief that will be given to an architect who is yet to be selected.
The design is expected to be finalised by the end of 2019 and construction to start in 2020.
The new-look Entertainment Centre is scheduled to open in 2022, a year earlier than indicated in a council report in late 2018.
The council decided on a major renovation, estimated last year to cost nearly $22 million, rather than a "knock down-rebuild", which would have been more expensive and taken longer to deliver.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council was calling on the community to provide feedback on various features of each concept.
"We're about to enter a new era for the Sutherland Entertainment Centre and along with technical assessment and costing, your views are important as we work towards appointing an architect," he said.
"We are looking for innovative ideas and currently are seeking your feedback on four aspects of each concept; the exterior appearance, entrance and foyer, theatre experience and connection with the adjoining park.
"Your thoughts on those features will help us move towards the next exciting phase of the project."
A council spokeswoman said the aim of the refurbishment was to create a welcoming, accessible, cultural hub that inspires, entertains and enriches the whole community.
It would also be a place to nurture young performers and showcase outstanding talent.
The concepts on display are the work of three architects:
- COX (Concept A).
- FJMT (Concept B).
- NBRS & CHROFI (Concept C).
Each architect was required to address several objectives including to provide a rich and engaging theatre experience that is accessible to all, facilitate the flexible delivery of a diverse and high calibre program of performing arts services and enhance and activate the urban context.
The three concepts will be on public exhibition at the Entertainment Centre for the next two weeks.
Residents can provide feedback by either visiting the Entertainment Centre, the adjoining council administration building, council libraries, leisure centres or Hazelhurst Arts Centre or via the council's website: bit.ly/SECED
"We are committed to continuing to work closely with user groups, patrons and the arts and culture industry experts and architects as we transform this location in the heart of our community into a vibrant space for the performing arts," the spokeswoman said.
Further inquiries, email: ssc@ssc.nsw.gov.au