Hamilton cinema would lose 53 seats under designs proposed by Southern Grampians Council that would move the venue into the supper room of the Performing Arts Centre.
What’s going on: The council has released designs for the new Hamilton Performing Arts Centre and Cinema for public consultation, as part of the new Hamilton Gallery and civic precinct, projected to cost about $50 million.
The details: Architects Angelo Candalepas and Associates developed the designs, which include a new bar, box office and amenities, with improved accessibility and acoustics.
A projector will be added to the 500-seat auditorium to cater for bigger audiences, which usually come during school holidays.
Why fewer seats? According to the council, data from the cinema shows only 55 of 3964 sessions - 1.39 percent - between January 2023 and September 2026 drew more than 68 people.
The average was 11 attendees per session.
Mayor Dennis Heslin said in a statement the supper room in the Performing Arts Centre has reduced in usage over the past decade and typically acts as a secondary bar area or green room.
“Obviously there are exceptions … the Rotary Art Show and the Eisteddfod, but we will work with those groups to ensure that their events can be accommodated within the revised facility or a suitable alternative,” he said.
Costs: The cinema is estimated at $2.14 million and will be included in the gallery construction contract.
Southern Grampians Shire Council has put a $10 million limit on what it will contribute to construction, and said extra funding will need to come from state and federal governments and philanthropic groups like the Gallery Foundation.
Now what? Designs can be viewed on the Engage Southern Grampians website or at the cinema and Performing Arts Centre. Feedback closes at 5pm on Wednesday, November 11.