Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson is calling on the State Government to fund Hopgood Theatre for another year

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson has written to the State Government urging it to fund Hopgood Theatre for another year while plans to secure its future are being negotiated.

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The final curtain for Hopgood Theatre may not be lowered if Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson can convince the State Government to extend its funding for another 12 months.

Ms Thompson has written to the State Government asking it to extend the Noarlunga Centre theatre’s funding, which is due to run out in June, while a long-term plan to save it is still being negotiated.

“We are in ongoing discussions with Industry and Skills Minister David Pisoni about the future of the Hopgood Theatre, however, in the interim we believe the State Government should continue to fund it,” Ms Thompson told the Southern Times Messenger.

“The Hopgood Theatre is an integral part of the local arts community and provides an accessible space for emerging local artists to perform, as well as bringing national and international performances to the local community.”

Hopgood Theatre in Noarlunga Centre. Picture: Ashleigh Pisani

Country Arts SA has been managing the theatre, at Noarlunga TAFE in Ramsay Place, since 2008.

Last year it was unable to negotiate its usual five-year funding agreement with the State Government.

Instead, the government agreed to fund it for 12 months while a transition plan was put in place.

It costs about $200,000 each year to run the venue.

Country Arts SA chief executive Steve Saffell said the theatre was still taking bookings and that a short-term solution was being determined.

“We are working with the Department of Industry and Skills and TAFE to finalise an arrangement for us to continue managing the Hopgood Theatre in the short term whilst a longer term solution is found,” Mr Saffell said.

“We hope to have an answer on the short-term arrangement soon.

“In the meantime it’s business as usual.”

Industry and Skills Minister David Pisoni said: “I can assure supporters of the Hopgood Theatre that the Marshall Liberal Government has provided funding while a transition plan is implemented by its operator, Country Arts SA to secure its long-term future.”