Contract awarded for refurbishing old Red Cross building in King St

February 19, 1997

The State Government's plans for a $4.3 million arts complex within Perth's historic King Street precinct took another step forward today.

Arts Minister Peter Foss and Works and Services Minister Mike Board announced Perth firm GEO A Esselemont and Son had won the contract to completely refurbish the old Red Cross building in King Street.

The contract, which is worth $2,595,000, will be managed by the Department of Contract and Management Services

Work is due for completion by September.

The King Street Arts Centre will accommodate up to 10 arts organisations. A number of these organisations will focus on arts activity in regional Western Australia. Other groups will be dedicated to the involvement of young people in the arts.

Most significantly, the entire top floor of the three-level complex will be devoted to dance. It will provide three studios, a green room for dancers and office space for up to four companies.

The facility will also serve to address a number of long-term accommodation problems experienced by certain sectors of WA's vibrant dance industry.

Another key feature of the complex will be an arts information centre, designed to complement the Coalition's initiatives in the area of cultural tourism.

Mr Foss said the King Street Arts Centre was one of the major projects in the Government's 'building for the arts' program.

There would be considerable benefits for the artists and the public.

"For example, the Youth Arts Company will be able to achieve a more substantial administrative base for its three organisations by moving into the King Street complex," Mr Foss said.

"In addition, the improved facilities will contain ample rehearsal space for all three organisations to use.

"The King Street Arts Centre is a major boost for the arts in WA and a major development in the revitalisation of the west end of the city."

Mr Board said the building's design would enable those using it to work together.

The result would be more arts for the people of WA and a solid foundation for further development into the 21st century.

"The provision of these facilities for artists like the Youth Arts Company helps fulfill the Government's commitment to the development of arts for young people," Mr Board said.

"The arts start with young people and I am delighted the Government is able to provide a purpose-designed, attractive facility to enable them to realise their potential in presenting their work to the wider community."

A major Arts for Young People policy will be launched by Mr Foss later this month.

Media contact: Peter Harris (09) 222 9211