By Brendan Rees
Casey Council has its eyes on spending $29 million to expand The Factory rehearsal centre for the arts in Cranbourne East to cope with its growing numbers.
Cr Wayne Smith successfully moved a motion at council’s 16 July meeting for council officers to begin a $50,000 feasibility study to a develop concept plans, conduct community engagement, costings and mode of delivery for the expansion.
He said the need for the expansion was “definitely there” which would include extending and improving the front entrance and western facade of the facility.
The factory has been a squeeze for the more than 25 performing arts groups that use the centre.
“From day one the factory was too small … straight away we discovered through the bookings it wasn’t big enough.”
“We want to expand it, (and) look at some other types of spaces,” he said.
He said catering for circus groups was also a possibility.
Cr Smith said the proposed works would start at about the same time a Cranbourne East train station would be built so it will “fit in with the new environment” – which he believed may be in the next two to three years.
“That area is going to redevelop fairly majorly with the train station,” he said.
In December 2017, the State Government said it would set aside $3 million to buy land for a Cranbourne East Railway Station with plans yet to be unveiled.
Cr Smith said it was “too early” to know if the expansion would be delivered in stages.
BATS Theatre Company vice-president Susan Bergman OAM said she was thrilled an expansion of the facility was being considered.
“It’s just another example of the City of Casey looking at these activities which I would suggest further enhance the liveability of the city,” she said.
Ms Bergman, who is a long-time member of Windmill Theatre Company, said it would also mean better storage for the regular groups.
“It was a real struggle years ago and I saw people come and go all the time …. whereas now we have a much, much better more sympathetic council who have really done well,” she said.
Mayor Amanda Stapledon said the project would be providing the “best bang for our buck for resident’s ratepayer’s money.”
