Onkaparinga Council to consider future of Hopgood Theatre in confidence
Campaigners fighting to save the Hopgood Theatre are feeling optimistic as Onkaparinga Council meets to discuss its future.
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Save The Hopgood Theatre campaigners are optimistic as Onkaparinga Council prepares to discuss the future of the Noarlunga theatre.
The council will discuss the theatre in confidence at its Tuesday night meeting.
The future of the embattled theatre has been in question since the State Government cut funding to Country Arts SA, which runs the theatre.
The theatre was able to secure short-term funding in 2018 and twice in 2019.
But Save The Hopgood Theatre leader Harry Dewar said the theatre needed a permanent solution.
“The State Government own the facility, they’ve been responsible for it for 30 years and it’s their job to make sure there is a plan in place which sees it continuing to do what it’s done for our community for so long and so well,” Mr Dewar said.
“We’re supportive of any program or initiative which guarantees the future of the theatre including its maintenance, an upgrade and replacement of those technical facilities of the theatre that are well overdue for some maintenance.”
The theatre was used by more than 11,000 people in 2018/19, including local schools.
But, earlier this year, the group said bookings dropped to their lowest levels in nearly 30 years because of future funding insecurity.
Onkaparinga Council has previously voiced its support for keeping the theatre open as a council-run enterprise.
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Mr Dewar said the group was confident in the council’s commitment to saving the theatre.
“We have an understanding that conversations tonight may hinge on the future of the theatre, particularly in terms of the relationship between council, state government and then theatre,” he said.
“We are very optimistic because from our point of view it’s a no-brainer.
“We’re very interested to see what comes out of council’s deliberations but I’m confident that it will be something we’ll applaud.”
Onkaparinga Council was unable to comment on the matter.