TWO community groups have turned their backs on the Ulladulla Civic Centre, despite lobbying for the facility’s upgrade.
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Members of the Milton Ulladulla Rotary Club and the Entertainers campaigned for upgraded lighting and sound systems, a commercial kitchen and air conditioning in the ageing centre for many years before the recently completed $10.5 million upgrade.
However, both groups have decided to hold their functions in the ExServos Club auditorium instead of returning to the civic centre this year.
The 2014 Rotary Business and Community Awards will be held at the ExServos, while future Entertainers shows will also remain at the club.
Rotary president Ken Smith said the group decided to remain at the ExServos following the success of last year’s event which was moved there while building work was carried out at the civic centre.
Awards coordinator Glenn Rowen said next year’s event would return to the civic centre.
“The main reason for not using the civic centre this year was the fact that, at the time of planning the event, we were not certain if the civic centre would be completed and we had to be sure of the venue,” he said.
“The ExServos had been very supportive and was also a good venue as well as making it very simple for Rotary by doing all the setting up, ticketing, cleaning, catering etc.
“Rotary will be using the civic centre next year.”
Entertainers director Patti Yates said the ExServos provided a more intimate venue for the stage shows and she explained the civic centre stage and lack of dressing room space meant it was not appropriate for the group.
“It’s a shame, but the civic centre just isn’t right for us,” she said.
“The dressing rooms still aren’t big enough to accommodate our 40 performers and the stage isn’t wide enough.
“We would need to bring in caterers, bar staff and our own sound system.
“At the ExServos, everything is done for us - they do everything from selling tickets to providing security.”
Patti was concerned the civic centre would be too expensive for the group which would have to pay for the entire two weeks, even the days when no performances were taking place.
“The extra money we would need to pay for the venue is money that would not be going to local charities,” she said.
“It’s a shame, but the club venue really suits us better.
“We were at the golf club for 18 years and we have had great feedback from patrons about the ExServos.”
Patti was concerned the new centre could become a white elephant unless Shoalhaven City Council managed to attract community events and other functions.
Mayor Joanna Gash said she had been “extremely pleased” with the level of interest and use of the redeveloped civic centre.
“The library and visitor information centre received approximately 9500 visitors throughout June, a figure that does not include a further 1300 patrons who attended the civic centre,” Cr Gash said.
“Council’s civic centre manager, Tim Went, has been extremely active in negotiating with a number of organisations and events companies with a view to further utilising the centre’s auditorium.
“While council is not in a position to provide details of these talks, I am extremely confident that the redeveloped civic centre will continue to attract a large number of organisations and special events to the facility over the coming months.”
Cr Gash said the civic centre would always be subsidised by council and was never set up to cover its full costs.
“Council’s goal is to minimise the costs to the ratepayer through maximising the return from commercial users while balancing this with community users which are subsidised,” she said.