WEHL Street Theatre is set to undergo a major restoration next year after receiving over $90,000 in funding from the State Government’s Fund My Neighbourhood program.
Selected as one of seven projects throughout the region, and receiving the second highest amount of votes, the theatre will be transformed with new seats and carpet to be installed.
Theatre management committee secretary Chris Davey was thrilled the theatre had been selected and said the current second hand seats, which they have had for more than 20 years, are in desperate need of replacing.
“The seats are not very comfortable and we even had a whole row of them fall out one night – it is certainly time for renewal,” he said.
Already deciding on what seats will be used, Mr Davey said they hope to finish the makeover by April next year.
“We don’t have any shows booked in from January to April so that would be the perfect time to replace the seats,” he said.
“It will be a big job as they are bolted down, but the new seats will be much better for the community and a lot more comfortable.”
Other projects which won the support of the local community to share in the program include a hydrotherapy pool at Boandik Lodge and upgrades to sports facilities at Kongorong.
Boandik Lodge chief executive officer Gillian McGinty said she was delighted to hear the hydrotherapy pool had received the highest number of votes in the Mount Gambier area.
“$150,000 from Fund My Neighbourhood will be a great boost to achieving the goal of a hydrotherapy pool for the local community,” she said.
“A facility that can be used by residents of Boandik as well as other community members will be a valuable addition to our city.”
Limestone Coast Labor Legislative Council candidate Clare Scriven said the response to the Fund My Neighbourhood program had been overwhelming.
“It is great to see funding across categories such as sports and open space, health and wellbeing and arts and culture,” she said.
“The community deserves congratulations for getting behind these projects that will benefit so many different people in our area.
“From those who took the initiative and put their idea forward, to those who supported it and encouraged their friends, family and neighbours to vote – thank you for making a difference to our community.”
The second round of funding will open in May next year with a further $20m set to be distributed across the state.
