THE transformation of the Newport Substation from a derelict hulk into a community art venue is set to continue, with the next round of building work to get underway soon.
President Darren Williams said work would begin on a new performance floor in April this year, the next major development in the building that has been slowly rejuvenated over many years.
The new performance floor will fill the large void above the present gallery space, an area of about 320 square metres that will include a sprung timber floor. It will cost about $500,000 and take about a year to complete.
The space will be used to hold exhibitions, stage drama festivals, music and theatrical performances and will have seating for 300 people and a stage area.
Mr Williams said the new space would significantly expand the range of events the Substation could host, making it an appealing venue for a broader cross-section of the arts community in Hobsons Bay and across the West.
“The whole of the Western region will benefit from having a new space to perform, exhibit and learn about various aspects of the arts,” he said.
“It will make most of the spaces available to the public. We’re hoping that we will be holding regular events on that floor by this time next year.”
On completion of the new performance space, the overall Substation redevelopment will be about 60 per cent finished, meaning the grand old building is still very much a work in progress.
The Newport Substation was completed in 1915 for the Victorian Railways to convert alternating current (AC) electricity to direct current (DC), and as a switching station for the old Newport power station.
The building was decommissioned in 1967 and fell into disrepair for decades, before restoration work began in March 2001 to turn the building into a public art gallery.
Mr Williams said that while the latest round of building would not be finished until the end of next year, regular events such as the VCE art prize, the Williamstown Festival art show, and the Art Craft Show would continue to be held at the Substation.
However, like many community projects, the Substation is run largely by volunteers, and Mr Williams called on locals to help with the latest round of construction, particularly in a project management role.
“Someone who has a bit of time on their hands and some experience with larger-scale construction projects would be ideal”, he said. Anyone with the skills, time and experience to help manage the performance space building project can call Darren Williams on 0415 369 874.
