By Brendan Rees
Plans to expand The Factory Rehearsal centre in Cranbourne East have been put on the backburner after Casey Council resolved to abandoned funding due to “high costs”.
It comes as council originally set aside an estimated $29m to redevelop and expand the performing arts facility within the Casey Complex last year, but following a review in May this figure was revised to $15.4m.
The plans included upgrading the facility’s floor amenities, foyer and lounge, workshop rooms, kitchen, and existing studio spaces as well as two new rehearsal spaces, additional amenities, circulation space, office spaces and waiting areas.
However at a 21 July meeting, Casey Council administrators voted unanimously to abandon any further work on extending The Factory due to cost estimates received, but agreed to “re-evaluate” the facility’s future when further details were known about a future Cranbourne East train station and further development of the Casey Complex Urban Design Framework.
Administrator Cameron Boardman said he acknowledged The Factory, which is home to more than 25 arts groups, provided a “vital community service” with an “opportunity for further improvement” but the projected $29m was “just prohibitive in this environment”.
“It does not prevent the council from looking at The Factory in the future and certainly does not prevent the Factory community groups for applying through the community grants program for any upgrade or other minor capital works program,” he said.
Mr Boardman said council needed to act “quite prudent” with its finances and “unfortunately, on this occasion it is not a project that council is in a position to continue to fund”.
Susan Bergman OAM, who contributed to the original concept of The Factory and is vice-president of BATS Theatre Company, a group that has been providing performing arts opportunities to the Casey community for over 30 years and regularly rehearses at The Factory, said while the council’s decision was disappointing she was pleased plans to upgrade the facility would be reviewed.
“I would hope in the near future we can have some work done on The Factory to try to like a smaller extension for example than what was previously advised,” she said.
Chantelle Riordan, a Casey resident and musician who frequents the facility, said before the coronavirus pandemic the facility was “incredibly busy” with space at a squeeze, and the need to either expand it or build a second arts venue was essential to cope with the growing needs of the city’s cultural and performing arts groups.
While she was understanding of the council’s position, Ms Riordan hoped the proposed project would be “higher on the priority list” as soon as funding became available as the facility “provides a fantastic service to the community”.
Meanwhile, ex-Casey councillor Wayne Smith, who was a strong advocate of the arts community in Casey and had led the council motion last year to expand and upgrade The Factory, said he was “disappointed but probably not surprised” with council’s decision.
“It was a huge amount of money but at the time we weren’t asking for a lot of money,” he said. “We were asking for renovation additions that would’ve been a fraction of the cost.
“But at the time there seemed to be approval and appetite to do it so why wouldn’t you do it?
“We will just have to hold the council and the administrators to their word,” he said of the proposed project being reevaluated.
