The Armidale community turned out in strength last Thursday evening to hear the outline of an ambitious plan for a $30 million-plus civic precinct for the city.
The concept involves a two step strategy to build a new library at an estimated cost of $11.5 million on the Cinders Lane car park site and a $19 million Performing Arts Centre on the current library site.
It also comprises an upgrade of the Armidale Town Hall which would be linked to the two new complexes by covered walkways.
Launching the fundraising drive at the meeting, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said Armidale had successfully undertaken ambitious civic projects in the past such as establishing a new cinema and the New England Conservatorium of Music.
He said the united front displayed by the city’s arts groups, library supporters and the community were an essential component of any successful fundraising campaign.
At the meeting, Armidale Dumaresq Civic Precinct Committee chair Judith Ross-Smith said the Armidale Regional Performing Arts Committee (ARPAC) had joined with Friends of the Library and the RSL to unite behind the project.
“I want to stress that all our efforts will go into finding funding for the new library as a priority,” she said. “When that is achieved and the current library site is available, we will move on to stage two.”
Speakers at the meeting emphasised the need for the new library which has outgrown its cramped Faulkner Street premises.
ARPAC Chair Chris Ross-Smith told the meeting Armidale missed out on many touring performing arts events because it did not have a suitable venue. He read from a supporting letter from OzOpera which outlined the costs which deterred arts companies from bringing productions to Armidale.
RSL President Rod Davis said his executive met at the library which is a dedicated war memorial. He is behind a push for funding from the Federal commemoration of ANZAC centenary.
“I cannot conceive of a better memorial than a library which is a permanent reminder of the purpose of those who served in war and will benefit the community now and also future generations,” he said.
