Torquay arts facility draws on budget funding

THE committee that will run Torquay’s coming Multi Arts Centre is thrilled to see funding in the recent state Budget to help develop the facility.

The Surf Coast Shire has resolved the Surf Coast Sports and Recreation Centre on Beach Road will be used as a community-led arts facility when it is no longer required for sport and recreation purposes, following the expected opening of the Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay North early next year.

The shire facilitated a formation of a multi-disciplinary arts collective to manage the facility, Multi Arts Centre Inc (The MAC), which is in talks with the shire about the next steps on the project.

“Council officers have advised that the Victorian Government will be investing in the creativity of our regional community with a contribution of $240,000. Together with the council’s 2020-21 budget contribution of $60,000, the total funding available will be in the vicinity of $300,000,” The MAC secretary Gay Bell said.

“While details are yet to be received from Regional Development Victoria, we are assured that funding will be applied to the initial fit-out of the Torquay Sport and Recreation Centre to develop an art facility comprising a black box theatre, art gallery, an art shop and a meeting/workshop room.”

She said The MAC hoped to sign a lease with the shire before Christmas.

“These facilities will be available for use by the arts community by mid-2021.

“The MAC is currently in discussion with Surf Coast Shire on the terms of a lease for the building and, with the replacement sports stadium in North Torquay expected to be completed by the end of the year, MAC is hopeful that bump-in may start early in 2021.

“The money won’t be enough to finish it, but it’ll get us started, and hopefully that’ll make people excited.”

To follow the progress of The MAC, head to themac.org.au (under construction), facebook.com/multiartscentre and instagram.com/themac_torquay.