Government provides vital funding support to Albany Entertainment Centre

The State Government has approved funding of $3.96million to cover the initial operating costs of the newly-completed Albany Entertainment Centre (AEC).

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the funding was vital for the AEC to realise its potential as a great regional performing arts space and convention centre.

"The Albany Entertainment Centre is one of the most exciting new performing arts spaces in the country and represents a $70million investment by the WA community," Mr Day said.

"This additional funding will cover the centre's costs for its first two years and ensure the Great Southern community has access to an entertainment venue of outstanding quality."

In 2007, the previous government announced a funding commitment for the construction of the AEC, with ownership due to be handed to the City of Albany. 

"Earlier this year, the City of Albany raised concerns over its ability to manage and fund the venue in its first two years of operation and called on the Liberal-National Government for financial assistance and management expertise to run the venue," the Minister said.

"The Government directed Perth Theatre Trust (PTT) to manage and operate the centre for two years, with ownership of the building transferring to the City of Albany from July 1, 2012."

Mr Day said the new Government funding was subject to the two parties formalising an agreement on a range of organisational and governance issues.

"These negotiations are ongoing between the Perth Theatre Trust and City of Albany and I am confident they will be resolved," he said.

"The two-year interim management arrangement will give the City of Albany time to stabilise its financial position and create funding reserves to support the future operation of the AEC.

"It is in everyone's interests to ensure the AEC is well managed in the short-term to lay the foundations for a strong and sustainable future."

Albany mayor Milton Evans said the arrangement with the PTT gave the City of Albany time to create funding reserves to ensure the future sustainability of the AEC.

"We want to ensure this is a long-term asset for the community of Albany and the Great Southern and we have been granted time to ensure that happens," Mr Evans said.

The Albany Entertainment Centre features a 620-seat main theatre and a flexible 200-seat studio space. It is expected to attract major theatrical and musical performances from 2011 and has the capacity to host conventions and conferences.

The first public performance at the AEC will be the Berlin Philharmonic simulcast on Sunday, November 14, with the official opening expected to be held in December 2010.