A complete building refurbishment of the Mittagong Playhouse has led to funding shortfall of approximately $5 million.
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The funding shortfall revelation came at the Wednesday February 16 meeting when interim administrator Viv May asked for a status update on the Mittagong Playhouse when confirming a 21 year lease for the Berrima District Historical and Family History Society.
The Mittagong Playhouse was shut down in October 2019, due to structural concerns.
At the time, The Southern Highland News reported that he structural integrity of the roof and walls have been compromised, with reports that that the ceiling has bowed.
A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesperson said the original budget allocation of $2.5 million was specifically for the structural repair and minor fit out of the Playhouse Hall.
"Following further investigation and stakeholder consultation it was evident that due to the invasive nature of the repair, and leveraging off efficiencies from changes to the building floor layouts, a complete building refurbishment would be required," they said.
"The current status of the Playhouse is that the concept design has been approved and we are now in the detailed design phase.
"The Berrima District Historical and Family Society is currently operating from the building although all performance arts have been relocated."
The spokesperson said the council had applied to CreateNSW for additional funding.
"We have successfully negotiated the initial Expression of Interest (EOI) phase," they said.
"We've now been invited to submit a more detailed application due in March.
"Should we be successful this will help cover the additional funding and help address the aforementioned additional refurbishments."
The final designs for the Mittagong Playhouse are expected to be complete (with approvals) by September 2022.
The council spokesperson said the tendering and subsequent approvals were expected to take a further three months.
"Construction commencement is then expected to commence early 2023," they said.
"Construction is expected to take approximately 12 months from start date - ie. early 2024 project completion."
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