Following the City of Victor Harbor’s purchase of the iconic Victa Cinema in 2020, a new concept design for an Arts and Culture Centre has been prepared for community feedback. 

The redevelopment will see the Town Hall, Old Mechanics Institute and Librarian Residence, and Victa Cinema combined to form the new Victor Harbor Arts and Culture Centre. 

The Centre has been designed to serve as a multi-functional space that provides experiences and opportunities for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. 

The council considers the Arts and Culture Centre to be an integral part of its aspiration to cultivate a vibrant community, and position Victor Harbor as regional arts and cultural destination. 

Some of the key features within the concept design include a Proscenium Theatre with seating capacity of 343, a Flexible Theatre with seating capacity of 166, a contemporary gallery space, and a contemporary cinema upgrade. 

City of Victor Harbor Mayor Dr Moira Jenkins says the new Arts and Culture Centre will be versatile space that can be used for a number of different occasions and events, and that will ultimately contribute to a vibrant community culture. 

“This is a significant opportunity for our town to develop and enhance its offering to residents and visitors alike, with a contemporary space that caters to all types of art and culture pursuits,” she says. 

“The Centre will be a hub for Victor Harbor’s flourishing cultural and artistic activity, offering local artists, groups and the broader community with a place to meet, work, exhibit, collaborate and learn.” 

“We are excited to hear community feedback on the proposed design of the Centre, as all feedback will be used to support the creation of the final design.” 

The public consultation for the Arts and Culture Centre will run concurrently to the consultation for the Mainstreet Precinct Upgrade Stage 5 (Grosvenor Gardens and Coral Street), and consideration has been given to how the two redevelopments will complement one another given their close proximity. 

The community is encouraged to view the concept design and subsequently complete the survey online. 

Alternatively, hardcopy information sheets and feedback forms can be collected from the Civic Centre on 1 Bay Road, Victor Harbor. 

All feedback should be submitted by 5pm on Monday, 7 June. 

The project team will also conduct drop-in sessions at the Victa Cinema, 37-41 Ocean Street, Victor Harbor.

The community can learn more about the project and share feedback on Monday, 31 May at the Victa Cinema between 12-2pm and 4-6pm.