Excitement is building as Townsville City Council prepares to reopen the Civic Theatre this weekend in time for The Imperial Russian Ballet Company’s production of Swan Lake.
The Civic Theatre was closed for repairs immediately following the unprecedented monsoon earlier this year.
Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair and Deputy Mayor Les Walker said the re-opening of the Civic Theatre is another milestone for the city’s recovery.
“There was some extensive damage at the Civic Theatre and it’s great that we’re able to reopen the doors for the community – it’s important that we get these venues open and return the city to some sort of normalcy,” Cr Walker said.
“It is one of Townsville’s cultural hubs and we’re sure the community will enjoy being able to enjoy quality productions in the city’s premier theatre again.”
Townsville Infrastructure Services Chair Mark Molachino said Council would be undertaking further maintenance on the Civic Theatre.
“Council will be painting the building to improve its resilience in the face of other natural disasters,” he said.
“Some of the work already done on the building includes removing mould, replacing majority of the wall and ceiling linings and replacing the orchestra pit.”
Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Colleen Doyle said there was no better way to reopen the Civic Theatre than with one of the world’s best-loved ballet companies.
“The Imperial Russian Ballet Company has visited Townsville several times, however this will be a special performance with the reopening of the Civic Theatre,” Cr Doyle said.
“We’re thrilled to open the theatre again and let the community back into this much-loved building.”
The Civic Theatre reopens on Saturday.
