The recently opened $7 million theatre and cultural centre in Narrabri, New South Wales, aims to inject some fuel into the local economy. Narrabri Shire is located in north west New South Wales, and covers an area of 13,000 square kilometres. It comprises three towns and seven villages and has a total population of approximately 14,500 people.
“The Crossing Theatre has been almost entirely funded by the local Council, with the exception of $175,000 grant funding from the New South Wales State Government,” said Council’s General Manager, Ian McCallum. “So far the centre is proving to be enormously successful. Built on the banks of Narrabri Creek, the magnificent river views are bought right into the building by the enormous glass panels that line almost the entire river side of the centre.”
It provides regular entertainment for residents with two luxury movie theatres, a 1,000 seat auditorium and function room, exhibition area, riverside room, outdoor marque area and band practice room. The auditorium is well equipped for stage productions with numerous green rooms and has deluxe gallery seating for up to 200 people.
“During just one week of operation, almost 2,000 people have been through the cinemas,” Ian McCallum said. “For a town with a population of only 7,000, this is a remarkable result. This level of access to cultural activities will have an enormous positive effect on the community. As well as providing some ‘light relief’ in an otherwise gloomy season, it will hopefully generate tourism, giving the local economy a boost in the right direction.”
