Nyngans historic Palais Theatre is believed to be on its last legs.
The theatre, which hosts the Western Studio of Performing Arts dance studio, has been closed to the public for a number of weeks due to major structural issues.
At the September council meeting, councillors resolved to seek structural advice from an architect and the costs involved to renovate and restore the exiting structure, or to replace it with a new facility.
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Council notes show a report by the structural engineer identifies numerous structural failings which are considered an immediate threat to public safety.
Bogan Shire General Manager Derek Francis said the council recognises the significance of the Palais for the Bogan Shire and the fondness that many people have for it, but initial advice indicates it will be costly to rectify the issues and maintain ongoing maintenance.
“None of us want to see it demolished and gone, but its going to come down to a question of money, with the funding for fixing it up, as opposed to the funding for trying to put something new up,” Mr Francis said.
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“The structural engineer has warned us that even with the renovation, there are going to be higher ongoing costs with a building of that age,” he said.
Mr Francis said one suggestion at the council meeting was to look at keeping the existing facade but build a new facility at the back.
“Thats one option, rather than a complete demolition of it because obviously we understand there is a lot of sentimental attachment to the building and it does have some historical significance,” he said.
Mr Francis said despite significant works completed on the roof structure 20 year ago, and again 10 years ago along with ongoing maintenance, there is underlying structural damage, which is expected not to be economically viable.
“Going back a number of years, even going back to the 1990 flood there was damage to the theatre,” Mr Francis said.
“Theres a lot of things you cant see and thats part of the problem with the estimated costs to fix it is that until you start stripping away, the wall panels for instance you dont really know whats going on behind them, we dont know whats going on with the foundations until you start pulling the floors up, so while visually it can look ok, up to a point, its not until you start taking a serious look at it that these things start to be uncovered.”
Council are awaiting the report before they make a decision.
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Nyngan Observer
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