Woodville Town Hall to host 60,000 people a year by 2023
Woodville Town Hall has been growing as a theatre and concert hall – and now Charles Sturt Council is confident it will survive the coronavirus crisis and end up being one of the busiest theatres in the west.
West & Beaches
Don't miss out on the headlines from West & Beaches. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Woodville Rd revamp would turn it into main street with dining, shopping
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Woodville Town Hall would become one of the busiest theatres in the western suburbs – with regular shows and a wine bar – under a new plan.
According to data collected by Charles Sturt Council, the local heritage-listed hall, on Woodville Rd, has attracted 80,000 visitors since it was renovated for use as a theatre and concert hall in 2017.
Revenue from the hall has also increased more than $180,000, while economic benefit to the area has been estimated at $10 million.
It has hosted comedy festivals, concerts and Fringe-related events since the upgrades.
A survey of people who attended shows at Woodville Town Hall found 30 per cent bought dinner at surrounding restaurants.
While the theatre has thus far operated at a loss, economic modelling for this financial year shows it is set to turn a net profit, with attendance forecast to increase by 51 per cent.
However, that will be affected by cancellations caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
A new business plan has set a blueprint for the venue’s growth, including a program of regular events to make it a “cultural hub”, a new wine bar and better promotion.
The plan says Woodville Town Hall has changed from a “small hall-for-hire” to a “professional venue” and the council will push for more commercial hires of the building.
It hopes to increase annual attendance to 60,000 people by 2023.
The business plan said the “heritage icon” had been transformed from a “an under-utilised asset to a vibrant, inclusive and entertaining venue”.
“Investments to date have brought the venue up to benchmark standard and created a product that is market-ready, but it will take time and ongoing resourcing to establish the venue’s reputation and audience base,” the plan read.
Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans said cancellations due to coronavirus “may result in our projected attendance and revenue figures for this financial year being less than anticipated”.
“When we are able to hold these events at a later date, we will be able to support organisers, artists and our local economy," Ms Evans said.
“We are confident it will continue to be a special destination for weddings, music events and community gatherings both local and for visitors into the future.”
The hall is across the road from the rapidly growing St Clair development.
Councillors last year endorsed a $13.7 million plan to turn Woodville Rd into a dining and shopping strip.
It included cutting the road down to one lane each way during off-peak times, widening the footpath and planting new trees along a widened median strip and roadside.