Let the drama begin

By Tania Martin
THE curtain is set to be raised on the final act of Emerald College’s long-awaited performing art centre drama.
The State Government has stepped in at the eleventh hour with a $500,000 cash splash as the school desperately called for help.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato last week announced the money as part of the 2010-11 State Government Budget.
She said without the cash the project wouldn’t have been able to go ahead.
In February, the Mail reported in its story, ‘Art just can’t wait’, that the project was in limbo following a $500,000 shortfall after more than three years.
Cash for the project was promised in the lead-up to the 2007 Federal Government elections but the school is still waiting to turn the first sod on the project.
In 2008 the government allocated $2.5 million for the centre as part of its 2008-09 budget.
But principal Wayne Burgess said there had been one delay after another. This led to the school having to downscale its plans or face a $1 million shortfall. The original plans included 300 permanent seats, a flat 20-metre by 12-metre stage, with an option to turn some of the stage area into temporary seating if needed.
However, the centre will now only have the capacity to hold 220 permanent seats and the backstage area had to be reduced by 40 per cent.
Now after months of inaction from the Federal Government the school will finally get its long awaited performance space.
Mr Burgess said the project wouldn’t be going ahead without the support of Ms Lobato.
“Without her help I don’t think we would have secured this funding in the budget,” he said.
Mr Burgess said the first sod was expected to be turned within three weeks after almost three years of waiting.
He said the students, staff and parents were thrilled by the news and excited to finally have a performing arts centre.
Ms Lobato said the centre was not just vital for Emerald College but for the whole community.
“The hills communities need and deserve a state-of-the-art performance venue and this facility will deliver on that goal,” she said.“The venue will be a flexible one able to cater for a range of performing arts, including dance, drama and music.”
It will also be used for concerts, productions, community forums and graduation ceremonies from schools across the hills.