YOU CAN just tell that Belconnen Arts Centre CEO Daniel Ballantyne and the board have had enough — they really want the BAC Stage 2 development to go ahead.
When Stage 1 opened in 2009 then Chief Minister Jon Stanhope challenged the Belconnen community to make the centre work and it has, turning the building on the lake’s edge into a hub of cultural activity.
But it’s not enough.
“In 2012,” Ballantyne explains, “the ACT Government invested $300,000 in plans and approvals for a beautiful lakeside $12 to $15 million multi-function live performance venue with 400 seats. The ACT Government’s Infrastructure Plan says Stage 2 will be ready by 2021.”
“The cost of completing the building is a fraction of the ACT’s current $2.9billion infrastructure program. There is an ACT election coming and now is the best time for us to ask government to commit to a time line and funding.”
That performance venue is the key to taking the centre to its next level, Right now it has a modest dance studio in which dance and experimental plays have been staged before tiny audiences, and the large foyer is used for concerts. But the Belconnen region is sorely starved of theatre and could conceivably form part of a reason touring network like The Q in Queanbeyan.
“It is now time for the ACT Government to commit to completing Belconnen Arts Centre,” they’re saying, and have got up and e-Petition that must be submitted in time for Minister for the Arts, Chris Bourke, to table it in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 11 August 11.
The response so far has been fantastic, Ballantyne says, but more are needed ‘to make a big impact’ before the e-Petition closes at 5 PM Wednesday, August 10.
And, says Ballantyne, “The challenge we put is before you to secure at least 4 signatories each! That’s just four neighbours, friends or colleagues at work. Get together, sit them down at their computer or device. It takes a minute or so.” But he notes, signatories must be ACT residents.
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