A SMALL group of community members in the creative arts industry are pushing for a boutique outdoor stage to be built in Jan Juc\u2019s Bob Pettit Reserve.<\/p>\n
The Jan Juc Live committee, which is made up of five local friends – Paul Thompson, Mark Tinham, Perry Mills, Kerrie Williams and Phil Avery – have put together a proposal outlining their hopes to construct an outdoor facility to support the development of local talent.<\/p>\n
Mr Thompson, who initiated the discussion, said the idea came about as a result of the growing success of Jan Juc performer Lucy O\u2019Grady\u2019s Christmas carols in the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last few years, Lucy\u2019s \u2018The Bonnie Upwelling Choir\u2019 has seen this family community event grow to around the 300 mark. The problem is without a proper structure, you’re open to the wind which can ruin any event and has done.<\/p>\n
Mr Thompson said the proposal has received a promising response from the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response has been overwhelming in favour of this proposal as surprisingly there isn’t an outdoor venue in Torquay or Jan Juc.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support we have from local singing groups, dance schools, kindergartens, poetry groups and musicians has been encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n
In January, the Surf Coast Shire authorised Jan Juc Live to share the proposal publicly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a big positive step for us as there is a lot of hoops we have to jump through. We are still a long way from the first hole being dug,\u201d Mr Thompson said.<\/p>\n
On March 31, the group will be hosting a \u201clistening post\u201d between 1-4pm at the site on Sunset Strip to discuss the plan in detail.<\/p>\n