Behind the Scenes at the Roxy #1 - General Update - June 2022
Published on 04 July 2022
Residents and regular visitors will be very familiar with the Lloyd Group’s scrim surrounding the Roxy and, while not much is visible from the outside, a lot is happening behind the scenes.
Roxy Project Director, Katherine Herrmann, describes the current stage of the redevelopment as its ‘most complex’.
By that she is referring to, among other things, the precision demolition work being undertaken in the theatre’s auditorium and former Movie and Crate Cafés premises to ready them for new internal connections and various upgrades.
“Maintaining the integrity of the heritage listed building is the cornerstone of this project, which will require over 30 T of structural steel to support, strengthen and connect the two buildings”, said Ms Herrmann.
Demolition of the Roxy’s dilapidated dressing rooms is also complete and there’s been a start made on electrical works which will come with the added bonus of improved supply to Leeton’s CBD.
Council’s internal project manager, Gideon Vos, reflected on the challenges of working on an old building and making it fit for purpose for the next 100 years:
“This project is not for the faint hearted. Everyday has delivered us some ‘interesting surprises’. For starters, we’ve had to get in specialists to remove asbestos buried under the floor and concrete paths and we’ve also discovered that some of the Roxy was not built in accordance with the original plans, including some load-bearing walls.”
Mr Vos added that among the most serious shortcomings of the original Depression era build was the lack of basic construction such as proper footings under parts of the floor, stage and brick walls.
“Dare I say that shortcuts were made 90 years ago and we now have the opportunity to remedy and reinforce so that we can ensure the long term integrity of the Roxy,” he said.
On receiving a project update, Ruth Tate, a member of the Roxy Redevelopment Committee, said she was pleased some of the hidden structural shortcomings had been discovered now and not later, and could be remedied as part of the build.
“Getting safety and compliance right have always been key drivers for this project. We are relieved the demolition works have revealed aspects we did not even realise were seriously compromised, like the piers under the stage. These will be rectified as a priority to avoid the risk of a future stage collapse.”
Over thirty tonnes of steel will be used to connect the old Roxy with the adjoining shopfronts as well strengthening the original buildings.
Photo 1: Example of stage pier found to be sheared and without proper footings.
Photo 2: Old dressing rooms gone and ready for more functional facilities to be built.