The Precinct

THE

CAIRNS PERFORMING MUNRO MARTIN

ARTS CENTRE PARKLANDS

A N E W T H E AT R E , T R O P I C A L PA R K L A N D S — A N E W C O M M U N I T Y S PA C E

In early 2018, Cairns will have a new, purpose-built performance theatre and a lush, tropical parklands on the fringe of the CBD. Estimated to cost $65 million,

The Precinct project incorporates a Cairns Performing

CAIRNS PERFORMING

ARTS CENTRE

Arts Centre (CPAC) and the redeveloped Munro Martin Parklands (MMP) which will provide for the cultural and community life of the city for the next 50 years. Cairns Regional Council committed $13 million in the 2015-16 Budget which will allow for an immediate start to the project, and has committed an additional $2.2 million to upgrade the Tanks Arts Centre so it can host additional performances and shows during the construction of the new CPAC.

With a footprint of 4200m2 the new Cairns Performing Arts Centre will be more than twice the size of the existing Cairns Civic Theatre.

A new experience for Cairns audiences C omfortable seats, a larger foyer and additional toilets are just a few of the improvements for patrons of the new

available. The new theatre has been carefully designed to ensure there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Staggered rows ensure no one is

Cairns Performing Arts Centre. Perhaps the greatest gains come from behind-the-scenes enhancements that will deliver a full audience experience for theatre patrons. Limitations of the current Cairns Civic Theatre have meant local and touring productions have, at times, needed to scale down their props and scenery and cut the number of performers on stage.

The new CPAC will be able to accommodate larger touring shows so Cairns patrons will be able to enjoy a higher standard of productions and entertainment not previously

looking at the head of the person in front of them; dual aisles make it easy to get to and from designated seats; the balcony brings the audience close to the action; and the studio theatre is perfect for small, intimate performances. While providing a dramatic architectural statement, the three-storey foyer is an airy, bright gathering point for pre-show and interval, and is complemented by an extensive bar for refreshments. Access to the theatre has also been improved with a covered drop-off area and increased car parking.

State-of-the-art performance facilities W

ith a footprint of 4200m2 the Cairns Performing Arts Centre will be more than twice the size of the existing Cairns Civic Theatre. Significant gains have been made in terms of stage size, changing rooms, storage and loading as well as major upgrades in technology, creating a state-of-the-art regional theatre that meets the needs and expectations of local, regional, national and international performers. The main 940-seat auditorium (up from 669 seats) will be complemented with a new 400-seat studio “black box” theatre providing a second, smaller performance space that can double as a rehearsal or break-out area. For the first time, it will be possible to have concurrent performances at the theatre, with the potential of a third or complementary show utilising the Munro Martin Parklands stage. While the existing Cairns Civic Theatre is structurally sound, redeveloping the building would not have achieved the gains highlighted on the right. By demolishing the theatre and starting afresh, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre will not only bring about much needed improvements for today’s performers, but be a venue that the city’s young artists will grow up with.

A BIGGER, BETTER PERFORMANCE SPACE The comparison

EXISTING THEATRE FOOTPRINT 1,900 SQM

NEW CPAC FOOTPRINT 4,200SQM

EXISTING CIVIC

NEW CPAC

Seating 669

940 in main theatre 400 in studio theatre

Stage 10m deep x 22m wide

13m deep x 27m wide

Proscenium 14.5m wide

16m wide

Toilets 20

68

226m2, Dressing rooms 110m2, 14 people 64 people in in front of mirrors front of mirrors

FLORENCE STREET

DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD

Green room 30m2

50m2

Storage Civic 276m2

464m2

The Cairns Civic Theatre will host its last performance in February 2016 and will be demolished soon after to make way for the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, scheduled to be open in early 2018. Council is working with users of the Cairns Civic Theatre to find alternate venues. This will include the Tanks Arts Centre which will undergo improvement works (costing $2.2m) between November 2015 and February 2016 to make it suitable for a wider range of performing arts. A performance space will be created in Tank 3 and Tank 5 will be reconfigured to increase audience capacity. Climate control and improved back-of-house and technical components will also be introduced. Council is also looking at a Memorandum of Understanding with Arts Queensland to use the Centre of Contemporary Arts (CoCA) while the new theatre is being built.

1882: Then known as Norman Park, Munro Martin Park becomes the first designated recreation park in Cairns.

Late 1880s: Sporting groups begin using Norman Park, leading the then Council to fence the reserve Late 1800s: Attempts to establish a botanic garden were hampered by a lack of finance, over watering and goats 1900: The park is expanded, from Minnie Street to Aplin Street (Florence Street closed) to accommodate sporting groups. During its life Norman Park had cycling and running tracks, basketball and tennis courts, a cricket pitch, rugby and hockey fields, and even a 140-person grand stand.

1918: A giant picnic is held to celebrate the end of WW1 1920s and ‘30s: Military bands played at the park most Sunday nights to the delight of residents 1942: The concrete defence force control centre is built as a secure location to coordinate air raid warden duties. The control centre was later converted to the “scout hat”.

1945: Moves to reopen Florence Street commenced 1954: Substantial redevelopment of the park began thanks to the bequest of the sisters Munro and Martin. One of the main features of the redevelopment was to be an open air orchestral shell with terraced seating for 3000 people.

1956: The park is renamed as Munro Martin Park

MUNRO MARTIN

PARKLANDS

A lush tropical parkland for all to enjoy T Under The Precinct, Munro Martin Parklands will be reinstated as the city’s premiere park.

he Munro Martin Parklands site has been a key gathering point for the Cairns Community for more than a century. Since its inception in the 1880s, the park has had many roles, from sporting precinct to army accommodation; botanic garden to cycle track; home to celebrations and commemorations.

Under The Precinct, Munro Martin Parklands will be reinstated as the city’s premiere park.

Visitors will be able to wander through rich, tropical plantings, marvel at the dramatic vine displays, picnic beneath the mango trees, and catch up in the plaza. The central lawn will play host to community events and festivals, and music and performances will ring out from the

small stage. While the park is designed for the future, it won’t ignore the past, with the obelisk in memory of the park’s benefactors, the sisters Munro and Martin, being a focal point of the network of walking paths. Historic connections will be further preserved through interpretive works that tell of the myriad uses the park has had over more than a century. At the intersection of the northern and southern routes into Cairns, Munro Martin Parklands will not only be a beautiful, botanic park for residents but provide a dramatic entry statement for the city.

The parklands will be be fully fenced so it can be closed at night or after evening events and performances.

KEY DATES SEPT 2015

NOV 2015

FEB 2016

Work starts on Munro Martin Parklands

The Tanks Arts Centre program halts for “the wet season”.

Work starts on redeveloping Tanks 3 and 5 to accommodate a broader range of performing arts.

The last performance is staged at the Cairns Civic Theatre

MAR 2016 Tanks 3 and 5 reopen

MAR 2016

MAY 2016

Work starts on the new Cairns Performing Arts Centre

Expected opening of the new-look Munro Martin Parklands

For more information on The Precinct, visit Council’s website, cairns.qld.gov.au/ThePrecinct.

We welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can comment on the project via the website, by email theprecinct@cairns.qld.gov.au, or at any of Council’s customer service centres and libraries.

cairns.qld.gov.au/theprecinct

theprecinct@cairns.qld.gov.au

EARLY 2018 Expected opening of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre

THE

CAIRNS PERFORMING MUNRO MARTIN

ARTS CENTRE PARKLANDS

cairnsregionalcouncil