EOI779/18 Consultant Design Services for the Sutherland Entertainment Centre Major Refurbishment

Summary and scope

Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced organisations for consultant design services for the Sutherland Entertainment Centre Major Refurbishment. The Project Sutherland Shire Council (Council) is set to create an exciting cultural facility in Sydney’s south. The project is the proposed major refurbishment of the Sutherland Entertainment Centre (SEC) – a project that will transform the outdated civic hall into a vibrant centre for the performing arts. In refurbishing the SEC, Council’s vision is to support active community engagement in the performing arts. Council intends to redefine the SEC as a cultural venue that goes beyond spectatorship to provide the community with accessible opportunities to appreciate and actively participate in the performing arts irrespective of age, background or ability. The project will result in a revitalised building that will deliver an enhanced theatre experience with reconfigured theatre seating, improved stage and back of house, a new teaching/rehearsal space and a more inviting foyer, together with a flexible-use forecourt and café/restaurant that will interact with the adjoining park. The project presents the challenge and opportunity to design a creative place that will evoke the vibrancy of the performing arts, engage the community and enrich the surrounding town centre ? and all within the framework of a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach to development. Project Scope At this preliminary stage the project scope may be summarised as follows: • refurbished main theatre with reconfigured fixed seating for 700 • improved wings, stage and new staging system suitable for major theatrical productions • improved back of house with minor upgrade of theatre systems and equipment • new flexible teaching and rehearsal space • fresh foyer and front of house with improved customer experience • new entry forecourt and flexible outdoor event space • new cafe/restaurant for 75 diners (can be expanded to 150) • enhanced accessibility • upgrade of building fabric and services including BCA compliance works • improved energy performance and ecological sustainability • enhanced interaction with the adjoining park and the public domain