Victor Harbor’s planned Arts and Cultural Centre has been boosted by the purchase of the historic Victa Cinema, on Ocean Street.

The cinema purchase forms part of the council’s vision to reactivate the town centre and establish Victor Harbor as a regional arts and culture destination. 

The cinema will be incorporated into its initial Arts and Cultural Centre proposal, expanding the facility’s footprint beyond the Town Hall and Old Library buildings (now the Coral Street Art Space) in Coral Street.

Initial concepts for an Arts and Cultural Centre were developed in 2017 and centred around redevelopment of the two heritage listed buildings. 

Public consultation highlighted a strong desire for an arts and culture facility in Victor Harbor but identified some community concern around some of the proposed design aspects. 

“With the cinema abutting the Town Hall and Old Library buildings, it provides the perfect opportunity to combine the spaces and enhance the offering of the proposed Arts and Cultural Centre,” says City of Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins. 

“Including the cinema into the overall footprint of the Arts and Cultural Centre will help address community concerns with the potential to expand its use as a live performance space and take advantage of the existing tiered seating.” 

The council will look at opportunities to diversify and enhance the use of the space but it will continue to operate as a cinema. 

“The Victa Cinema is highly valued by many residents and visitors, and we want to see this remain a key part of the town’s entertainment offerings,” Mayor Jenkins says. 

The $1.6 million purchase for both the cinema business and freehold title is scheduled for settlement in October. 

Council is considering its options for the interim management of the cinema while a longer term plan for the Arts and Cultural Centre is developed. 

It has allocated $100,000 in its draft 2020/21 budget to progress detailed architectural design of the Arts and Culture Precinct with inclusion of the Victa Cinema. As the plans develop, there will be further opportunities for the community to get involved in the project. 

Visit www.victor.sa.gov.au for more information about the City of Victor Harbor’s Arts and Cultural Centre project.

Current owners Carol and David Stonnill have operated the cinema since 2005, when they took over from Geoff Stock.

The art deco-style building was originally constructed on the main street of Victor Harbor in 1923.

Fire partially destroyed the theatre in 1931 and it reopened in 1934 after renovations.

Owned by Hoyts between 1951 and 1970, the cinema declined with the rise of television and even closed for a period during the 1960s.

It became the Victa Cinema in 1970 when it reverted to independent ownership. The 1990s saw Mr Stock totally renovate and refurbish the building, converting it to a twin cinema.

Since 2005 the Stonnills have installed air conditioning and more comfortable seating and upgraded to digital projection and 3D.

The cinema was closed on 23 March due to COVID-19 restrictions and reopened on 3 July.