MEMBERS of Ballarat's artistic and performing arts community say they would welcome any discussion about how best to showcase their talents in future, suggesting an idea to turn the Ballarat Showgrounds into an arts precinct has some merit.
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With the showgrounds site ripe for redevelopment once the Ballarat Show moves to Mount Rowan in 2022 or 2023, the time is right for a conversation about how best to utilise the 10-hectare, Crown land site going forward.
Ideas so far floated include turning the precinct into a mega-sports complex to compliment the existing Mars Stadium and basketball stadium in Norman Street.
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However another idea could be to turn the site into an arts precinct which would give both visual and performing artists a desperately needed platform for their work. The site could also then double as a night-market in summer months.
The Courier flagged the idea with a number of performers and festival organisers across the city to gauge their thoughts.
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Comedian Aaron Gocs said anything that encouraged locals, and residents from nearby towns to visit the city, was worth exploring.
"I'm always open to things and a little while back I floated an idea to the council to try and get something with comedy, but nothing really came of that," Mr Gocs said. "I know examples in other cities where things like this have worked. People are always looking for any opportunity."
Artist Peter Sparkman said Ballarat could easily accommodate another three exhibition spaces across the city.
"If something like that happened it would be a great opportunity. Having the infrastructure is a big thing, I could talk for hours about the lack of available spaces," he said.
"We spend so much on sports infrastructure, why not look at something like this?
"I remember when I was a teenager, we did a performance in one of the shed at the showgrounds. You have good parking options there as well, although it is a little out of the arts precinct area in town."
Frolic Festival Director and City of Ballarat Council candidate Jay Morrison said if Ballarat was serious about supporting local artists, an opportunity to move major events outside the CBD would be welcomed.
"There is a real potential there to be honest," Mr Morrison said. "One of the reasons I'm running for council is I believe there are so many neglected community spaces that have a lot of potential with a little bit of attention," he said.
"With Frolic, it is always a struggle to find venues, yet we've got places like Botanic Gardens, Victoria Park, even North Gardens where they have BeerFest. We need to invest in community infrastructure outside the CBD.
"Council is spending $15 million to open one lane of traffic in Bridge Mall. Maybe we could be spending money on important infrastructure around town that'll support artists and jobs."
Mr Morrison said any chance for a local artist to display their talent would be welcomed.
"Absolutely, the more opportunity for artists and performers to show what they are offering the community is great, as long as it's done in a way that doesn't cost an arm and a leg," he said.
"We have such a strong artistic community, if we got a coalition of people together and got community support, maybe something could come out of it."
When asked about its thoughts for the future of the site, the City of Ballarat directed The Courier to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) as it is the owners of the site.
"The City of Ballarat Council is working closely with the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society (BAPS) to assist in the relocation to Mt Rowan," it said.
"The land which BAPS currently sits on is Crown land and under the control of the DELWP. Any further enquiries need to be directed to the Department."
DELWP was contacted for comment.
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