Opening date set for Albany Entertainment Centre

The new $70million Albany Entertainment Centre (AEC) will be officially opened on December 11 with a gala concert featuring more than 200 local performers.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the AEC was one of the most exciting new performing arts centres in the country.

"The planned festivities to mark the official opening of this impressive building will have a distinct Great Southern flavour and kick-off with a civic ceremony," Mr Day said.

"Following the formal proceedings, there will be a gala concert for invited guests in the beautiful Princess Royal Theatre featuring members of various local choirs and orchestras.

"This performance will be repeated for the public on December 12 at 2pm."

Albany resident Sue Findlay has been appointed musical director of the gala opening and Anthony Howes the artistic director.

The AEC will be open prior to the official opening for a live simulcast of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on November 14, which has been funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.

"When the free tickets to the simulcast became available in Albany they were snapped up in under an hour," the Minister said.

"This was a fantastic response from the people of Albany who are obviously extremely keen to see the centre before its official opening."

Mr Day said a special Community Open Day had also been planned for November 21 from 11am-4pm.

The AEC, built by the State Government, will be managed and operated by the Perth Theatre Trust through its agent AEG Ogden (Perth) Pty Ltd for two years.

The centre features the 620-seat Princess Royal Theatre, the flexible 200-seat Kalyenup Studio space, and a cafe overlooking the harbour.