Council to consider approval of $1.3m business case into theatre renewal

The final curtain call for the Pilbeam Theatre could be drawing closer, as Rockhampton councillors consider its future. Some surprising options are being put forward.

The Pilbeam Theatre is a decades long performing art facility in Rockhampton which has seen countless performances. Pictured Fanny Lumsden performs at the PIlbeam Theatre July 13 2021. Photo: J Houley/The Morning Bulletin

The final curtain call for the Pilbeam Theatre could be drawing closer, as Rockhampton councillors consider whether to forge ahead with a $1.3m business case to determine its future.

Part of the business case would include the possibility of a replacement of the theatre located on the carpark of the existing site.

The iconic 47-year-old theatre is at ‘the end of its serviceable life’, according to Rockhampton Regional Council officers.

The cost of fixing the major issues plaguing the iconic 47-year-old building would be about the same as constructing a new theatre, according to an officer’s report in the council agenda for May 13.

The future of the Pilbeam Theatre is under consideration.

Officers have determined the best location for a ‘New Lyric Theatre’, which would include a black box theatre, is on the Pilbeam Theatre’s carpark.

The Rockhampton Showgrounds and existing Pilbeam Theatre site were both considered.

The Pilbeam Theatre, located on Victoria Parade and Cambridge St in Rockhampton, is a key performing arts facility in the Central Queensland.

Officers will stress the construction of the Lyric Theatre would take two to three years, with the design and approval processes expected to take at least two years.

The detailed business case is predicted to take one year.

A possible site for the new theatre is the Pilbeam Theatre’s current car park.

However, theatre lovers need not fear as Rockhampton Council remains committed to ensure Pilbeam Theatre continues to operate.

“In the interim, the council is undertaking maintenance, repair, and replacement works on the roof structure and air-conditioning system,” the council officer’s report states.

“These measures are intended to ensure the functionality of the existing facilities until the new building is completed based on the above time frames.”

Rockhampton Eisteddfod dance program, Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, May 4, 2022.

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams has stressed it is still very much early stages.

“We are reaching a point in the Pilbeam Theatre’s life that we start to think about what the next chapter is,” Cr Williams said.

“A business case is a tool to do that but we’ll take this one step at a time.

“It is in no way saying that we are embarking on a redevelopment of the site tomorrow. A business case is about considering options, asset maintenance and renewal, how we do that and, importantly, when we do it.

“There’s plenty of projects that we need to weigh up and work through and that’s what we will be discussing tomorrow.”