The Tasmanian Government is delighted to support innovative Tasmanians looking to create jobs and further develop the State’s reputation for cutting-edge arts experiences.
Congratulations to Ben Davis, Andrew Quaile and Paul Lee-Archer who took the bold step last year to buy the former Star Theatre in Invermay with plans to convert it back into a cinema - 48 years after it closed.
Strongly backed by Bass Liberal MHA Peter Gutwein and the Tasmanian and Australian governments, the trio successfully received a $200,000 grant from the Tasmanian Jobs and Investment Fund.
It is one of 56 projects to receive support under the scheme, which combined $16 million worth of federal cash originally earmarked for Cadbury, and $8 million from the Tasmanian government to leverage a total of nearly $100 million in projects and 800 jobs.
The Star Theatre is regarded as one of the finest example of art-deco cinema architecture in Australia and one of the few still in existence.
Ben, Andrew and Paul plan to renovate ``The Star’’ into a world-class independent cinema with a bar and cafĂ© and the ability to host conferences and events.
The Star Theatre was designed by Tasmanian-born architect Guy Crick and operated from 1937 to 1969 before being used as a retail outlet.
The new Star Theatre will offer the latest audio-visual technology, the latest Christie digital projection and 7.1 surround sound which will be complemented by the theatre’s excellent acoustics.
Ideally located near the new North Bank redevelopment and the planned re-located UTAS campus, I’m looking forward to seeing the completed project in several months.