Hume City Council has celebrated work commencing on the new Sunbury Community Arts and Cultural Precinct on Saturday 11 June.
Buildings 22 and 24 at Jacksons Hill in Sunbury are being transformed into a vibrant hub for art, community and cultural connections, reopening later this year.
It comes following extensive community consultation on how the iconic site would be restored for community use while also preserving its rich heritage.
The works will transform buildings that were created to confine people, into a place that brings community together through creative expression.
A true community collaboration, the refurbishment works will include:
Transforming the former dining hall into a new multipurpose theatre and performance space
Building a new annexe as a front of house for the theatre
Creating a new gallery space to exhibit artworks
Converting the former work shed (Building 24) into a maker's space for woodworkers and applied arts
Creating communal spaces for cultural gathering and co-working studios
Installing new flooring, lighting and audio-visual equipment
Creating accessible entrances, pathways and movement throughout the precinct
Upon completion, these facilities will allow for the historic site to be revitalised as a place for community creation and connection.
With vital support from the State Government, this project will create a destination for art, community and cultural connection on Jacksons Hill.
Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor, Cr Jarrod Bell:
"Jacksons Hill is significantly linked to Sunbury's history, and it was important we honoured this as we embarked on creating a new legacy at this site.
The contributions from our community and their continued involvement on the project, from workshops with the architects right through to being active Community Advisory Board members, speak to the passion and drive of our local arts community.
Sunbury is a growing town with a vibrant, creative and engaged community, and this precinct is going to nurture our community long into the future – not just for Sunbury, but for all of Hume.
We thank the State Government for their partnership and contribution so far and hope to see more investment in this important community facility."
