PIECES of Port Fairy’s history will be up for grabs as part of the revitalisation of Reardon Theatre.
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The public hall is in the midst of a $138,000 make-over, with the installation of new seating part of the planned works.
The original seating, installed in 1954, is still in use today.
Moyne Shire Council building co-ordinator Greg Howat said the seating would be removed in the coming weeks and be put up for sale.
The seating revamp is one of a number of steps being taken to upgrade the comfort of theatre goers.
“There will be a new ventilation system, heating and cooling, put in place,” Mr Howat said.
“It is a special design that works without fans, which can cause some issues if they move the stage curtains.
“It will also produce low-level noise which will not interfere with the entertainment, which will be really important for events like the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.”
Works have already begun on the Reardon Theatre revitalisation with the removal of asbestos.
Builders and plumbers are now working in the building to create fully accessible toilets.
The funding breakdown for the revitalisation project includes $292,000 from the state government, $131,000 from Moyne, $5000 from the Port Fairy Folk Festival, $5000 from the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and $5000 from the Port Fairy Film Society.
The state government funding was announced by Member for Western Victoria and Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford during a visit to Port Fairy in early May.
Another renovation program taking place at Reardon Theatre will be the installation of new acoustic panels.
This project is being funded by Moyne Shire Council through its community assistance fund.
The successful application for the funding round was put together by the Port Fairy Film Society.
The result was Moyne Shire allocating $19,231, with the film society to match that contribution.
The Port Fairy Film Society regularly shows films at the Reardon Theatre.
A number of those films are also then screened as fundraisers for other community groups, clubs and schools.