Cowes Cultural and Community Centre
About the Project
The redevelopment of the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre involves replacing the existing Centre, to bring together the cultural and social aspirations of the community and draw visitors in to showcase the history and culture of the region. The new facility will encourage a range of community activities and events.
During the construction program, the building will generate 69 jobs and once built, 30 ongoing jobs and it will provide $51.8 million in economic benefit over the life of the project.
In line with Council’s Climate Change Action Plan, this Centre will be built, designed and certified to Passivhaus Standards, making it the most environmentally significant building in the region.
This $27.2 million project has received funding support from the State Government, including $2.5 million from the Growing Suburbs Fund, $800,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and a $10 million loan from the Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme, as well as $5 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Program.
- The project will set new high standards in the provision of multi-use public community spaces, and in particular, deliver an accessible and functional building which contributes to best practice place making principles;
- The new centre will be a destination building with interesting architecture, while providing service for the Council and Community;
- Creating a dynamic and interactive place for people that is a source of community pride where groups can interact together;
- Secure the long-term use and improve the functionality, safety and efficiency;
- Incorporate Universal Design principles, expand and diversify the existing programs and services and improve access;
- Support the projected growth in population and identify the local demand for cultural, artistic and community programs and services;
- Best meets the communities’ needs giving consideration to Council’s existing strategic financial and cultural priorities;
- Increase the lifestyle and liveability opportunities for new and existing residents and visitors to the Shire; and
- Provide the centre point for cultural and heritage experiences and learning.
A revised concept of the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre was approved in October 2019. This concept maximised spaces for community groups, increased storage and enabled the design to function more effectively.
In February 2020, we sought tender responses for the detail design of the new facility.A design team has now been appointed. The detail design of the facility will include ongoing consultation with community groups and key stakeholders.
Construction of the new facility has started with a completion date by end March 2023.
The new Cowes Cultural and Community Centre is forecast to generate $51.8 million in benefit to the Bass Coast economy over the life of the project. The state government recently committed to the project, allocating $10 million via its Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme. The many economic and job benefits this project will bring the region ensures it will continue to progress. A new Cowes Cultural and Community Centre has been forecast in Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan. It’s location in the mid-block of Cowes will rejuvenate the activity centre and instil a sense of pride for Bass Coast whilst being the new home for many community uses and activities.
An extensive program of community and key stakeholders’ engagement has occurred over the past 5 years in developing the current concept design. Some of the consultation that has occurred includes:
- The establishment of a Council endorsed Working Group comprised of representatives from seven key stakeholder groups plus four community representatives.
- Written correspondence to every resident on Phillip Island with an invitation to review the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre concept design.
- Distribution of over 12,000 flyers to owners, occupiers, post office boxes and non-resident owners.
- Pop up community sessions with an overall attendance exceeding 360 people providing comment.
- Social media posts and published media releases
Updates
March 2023
- Continue preparing for all services to go in
- Continue bricking the south + west façade as well as bathrooms framing
- Continue insulation and soundproofing to roof and ceiling.
- Prepare the dock leveller footings.
- Complete structural steel to stage 3
- Complete roofing to all areas and screed plant room
Updates
March 2023
- Continue preparing for all services to go in
- Continue bricking the south + west façade as well as bathrooms framing
- Continue insulation and soundproofing to roof and ceiling.
- Prepare the dock leveller footings.
- Complete structural steel to stage 3
- Complete roofing to all areas and screed plant room
February 2023
- Continue roofing installation
- Continue structural steel installation
- Finish brick work on west wall
- Internal walls to museum and library area progressing
- Rough in wet areas and lift core work.
January 2023
- Install of mass timber structure
- Prep plant deck level 2
- Continue structural steel stage
- Continue framing stage 1 and 2
- Continue roofing stage 1 and 2
- Continue brick work and feature stair wall
- Commence rough in
November 2022
- Install of mass timber structures and preparation to the plant deck
- Installation of structural steel and framing to stage 1 and 2
- Roofing going over theatre and brick work progressing
- Insulation continuing through project
October 2022 Update
- Under slab insulation, Pre pour inspection, Inground services inspection, arborist inspections undertaken
- BP1-4 received with BP5 submitted for approval.
- Stage 5 concrete complete
- Stage 1 steel complete
- Storm water complete Prep for stage 6 and 7
- Delivery of GLT columns
- Pour stage 6 and 7 concrete
- Install first 8 GLT columns, with delivery of CLT and 18 GLT columns
- Commence install of mass timber
- Prep and pour plant decks
- Continue structural steel
- Commence brick work and scaffolding
The key activities for the upcoming month of November include the following:
- Continue install of mass timber structure
- Prep and pour plant deck level 2
- Continue structural steel
- Continue framing
- Continue roofing
- Continue brick work
- Continue Insulation
- Continue scaffolding as required.
September 2022 update
- Pour stage 5 concrete
- Preparation and pour of stage 6 and 7 concrete
- Install first 8 GLT timber columns
- Complete installation of structural steel to theatre area.
- Main water capping finalised.
August 2022 Monthly Update:
- Inspections – Under slab insulation, Pre pour inspection, Inground services inspection, arborist inspections
- Building permit 4 + 5 submitted for approval.
- Concrete slab on ground has been completed to centre area.
- Stage 5 being prepared with foam and reinforcement.
- In ground services have continued with the installation of the tanks to the drive way and tap in preparations.
- Mass timber columns have been delivered to site.
- Stage 1 steel is being installed.
21 Jul 2022
July 2022 Update
Concrete pour progressing as programmed.
- Upstand walls being erected over amenity area.
- Foam installation continues.
- McCorkell builders have built a protype of the brick wall to assist with grout specification and installation.
June 2022 Update
- Theatre gallery area concrete pour complete
- Function/amenities area concrete pour complete
- Stage area strip footings to be poured this Saturday
- Sewer installation progressing
- Passive House inspection completed by Inhabit – compliant result achieved
June 2022
Final concrete pour and slab set out to Theatre and Amenities area on 23 June 2022.
12 hour operations from 6am to 6pm.
May 2022 Update
- Ground pour to 2/3 of the slab on ground in stage 1 (theatre) and the preparation of the balance has been complete. Amenities core has been insulated and is about to commence preparation for concrete. In ground services are nearing completing with storm water and hydraulic runs being dug around site. Preparation for strip footings bellow the stage floor has also been complete.
Summary Works
- Concrete will be poured at the end of May with concrete construction to be finalised around the lift pits then aswell.
- There will be adjustment to screw piles in the theatre area ready for footing by the end of May.
- Foam to amenities and function area is ongoing but making good progress.
- Concrete preparation to gallery area ongoing.
- Steel to Stage 1 (theatre area) will be ready for fabrication shortly.
- Electrical in grounds services is ongoing to northern area of project
- Sewer in grounds ongoing to northern area of project
- GLT columns expected on site shortly
- Building Permit 3 soon to be released.
March 2022 Update
- Demolition complete.
- Builder appointed.
- Timelapse camera installed and Hoard Pop Up Stage 1 series on Thompson Avenue street frontage. Stage 2 in October 2022.
- Ground works underway. Concrete works and ground insulation in March 2022.
- Completion target for 2023.
Latest project pictures
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8 December 2022

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24 November 2022
Steel and Brick Progress

24 November 2022
Steel Frame of Theatre from Transit Centre

24 November 2022
Crane picking up roof sheets and materials
24 November 2022
24 November 2022
Steel install
24 November 2022
Steel install
24 November 2022
24 November 2022
24 November 2022

10 November 2022
Preparation and pour plant deck level 2

10 November 2022
Continue structural steel

10 November 2022
Continue Brickwork

10 November 2022
Continue framing

1 Nov 22 - Theatre structure massing before roof goes on

1 Nov 22 - Brickwork wall being constructed around theatre area, ground level

1 Nov 22 - Mass timber colums erected

1 Nov 22 - Brickwork wall being constructed around theatre area, level 1

1 Nov 22 - Overall Site showing construction underway

14 October 2022

14 October 2022

14 October 2022

14 October 2022

14 October 2022
29 September 2022 - Steel Frame Underway

29 September 2022 - Steel Frame Underway

29 September 2022 - Steel Frame Underway

29 September 2022 - Steel Frame Underway

15 September 2022 - Concreate Slab Completed

15 September 2022 - Concreate Slab Completed

15 September 2022 - Steel installed in Theatre

15 September 2022 - Steel installed with Crane

1 September - aerial view

1 September - aerial view

24 August 2022 - Walls Up

24 August 2022 - Walls Up

21 July 2022
Theatre Progress

21 July 2022
Upstand walls to amenities area.

21 July 2022
Upstand walls being constructed next to theatre.

21 July 2022
Brick sample wall showing texture, colour and grout options.

21 July 2022
Site Inspection

7 July 2022
Concrete pour continuing with upstand walls around theatre starting to take shape.

7 July 2022
Concrete pour continuing with upstand walls around theatre starting to take shape
29 June 2022
Theatre gallery area concrete pour complete.
Function/amenities area concrete pour complete.
Stage area strip footings to be poured this Saturday.
Sewer installation progressing.
Passive House inspection completed by Inhabit – compliant result achieved.
29 June 2022
Theatre gallery area concrete pour complete.
Function/amenities area concrete pour complete.
Stage area strip footings to be poured this Saturday.
Sewer installation progressing.
Passive House inspection completed by Inhabit – compliant result achieved.
23 June 2022
Location of pics taken 23 June 2023

23 June 2022
Theatre and Amenities concrete pour complete.

23 June 2023
Theatre and Amenities concrete pour complete.

23 June 2022
Theatre and Amenities concrete pour complete

June 2022
Concrete over theatre space.

June 2022
Pouring concrete for the theatre
May 2022
Drone footage prior to concrete pour
May 2022
Drone footage prior to concrete pour

May 2022

May 2022

May 2022

May 2022 - Lift pit bases being prepared for concrete

May 2022 - Storm water in grounds nearing completion

May 2022 - Progress of foam and concrete preparation
