As previously reported, one of Sydney’s high profile entertainment venues is set to undergo a complete redevelopment, to the tune of $1 billion dollars, including a seating capacity downgrade, but local industry figures have now slammed the proposed changes to the Sydney Entertainment Centre as ‘disappointing’ and short-sighted.
In a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, Live Performance Australia’s (LPA) chief executive, Evelyn Richardson has come out slamming the announcement of the reduction, which will see the venue capacity drop from 12,000 to 8000. “If we’re talking about an 8,000-capacity theatre, which at the end of the day could be as low as 6,000 by the time you take out various sight lines and so on, then that’s a very disappointing result,” said Mrs Richardson.
The peak body for Australia’s live entertainment and performing arts industry has preached her quarrels about the development, questioning the motives of the plan, saying “(the current capacity) should be at least maintained and preferably increased to cope with population demands.”
The LPA have also voiced their concerns to NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell as well as Infrastructure NSW (INSW), with Mrs Richardson later emphasising that: ”I’m not sure to what extent they took those (concerns) on board.”
Ms Richardson also brought to light the fact that every other capital city, except Brisbane, has a major music venue located around their CBD, including the recent completion of a new 14,500-seat arena constructed in Perth.“If we’re talking about an 8,000-capacity theatre… then that’s a very disappointing result.” – Evelyn Richardson, LPA
“If this is the design that has got to take the city through the next 10, 15, 20 years, then it just doesn’t make sense to reduce your capacity in a city that’s quite rapidly growing,” she said of the proposal. “I think it’s a missed opportunity.”
Infrastructure NSW, who are overseeing the $1 billion renovations, have defended their proposed downgrade, saying that the redevelopment is a necessary adjustment to the venue, indicating research showing that 80% of events held at the existing Entertainment Center between 2000 and 2011 did not exceed 8,000 people.
“It makes sense to provide an entertainment centre that meets the needs of the most popular market segment – that is, events that cater for 8,000 or fewer people,” a spokeswoman for INSW said.
The redevelopment aims to provide Sydney with an entertainment venue to fill a perceived gap generated between Sydney’s other entertainment areas; Allphones Arena and ANZ Stadium.
“Bigger events will be accommodated at Allphones Arena, while the highest capacity events will continue at ANZ Stadium and Sydney Football Stadium,” said the INSW spokeswoman.
At this point in time, the Sydney Entertainment Centre can seat 12,000 people at sporting events, and – depending on the show – seats 10,000 in concert mode, where staging and viewing angles reduce the capacity. INSW reason that in reality, the reduction is more like 2,000 and should be seen as offering an alternative for events rather than competing with the large-scale Allphones Arena.
The expansion and renovation of the Sydney Entertainment Centre is is expected to take three years, and the planned demolishment of one of the world’s most popular venues follows 30 years of events that have hosted some of the biggest artists in music, including Elton John, David Bowie, Pearl Jam, Dire Straits and many, many more.
The arena will close at the end of 2013, and is already set to play host to some of the biggest names (and shows) in rock early next year, all of whom will surely make the most of its 12,000 seat capacity. Including the long-awaited return of Black Sabbath, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, and monster sized double bills from Deep Purple & Journey (in their first ever Australian trip), as well as Kiss & Mötley Crüe.
