Perth Entertainment Centre

Perth Entertainment Centre
Name	Perth Entertainment Centre
Location	Perth, Western Australia
Opened	5 June 1974
Closed	2002
Demolished	2012–2013
Capacity	8,000 (approx.)
Architect	Hobbs, Winning and Leighton
Operator	VenuesWest (later)

Perth Entertainment Centre was a multi-purpose indoor arena and performing arts venue in Perth, Western Australia that operated from the mid-1970s until the early 2000s. Situated near Perth Railway Station and the Perth Cultural Centre, it hosted concerts, sporting fixtures, theatrical productions and community events. The venue became a focal point for touring international acts, national institutions and state-level sporting organisations, before its eventual closure and demolition amid redevelopment of the Perth central business district.

History

The project emerged in the late 1960s as part of civic planning led by the City of Perth and the Government of Western Australia to provide a large-capacity indoor venue comparable to facilities in Sydney and Melbourne. Design work by the architectural practice Hobbs, Winning and Leighton began in the early 1970s, influenced by contemporary arenas such as the Sydney Entertainment Centre and North American multipurpose stadia. The centre officially opened on 5 June 1974 with inaugural events that included performances by touring ensembles and locally produced shows associated with the Western Australian Ballet and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. In subsequent decades management shifted among municipal and state cultural bodies, including oversight and scheduling coordination with organisations such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and promoters like Michael Edgley International.

Architecture and facilities

The building’s exterior presented a modernist façade characteristic of 1970s civic architecture, integrating precast concrete panels and a large cantilevered roof over the main entrance. Internally the main arena featured a flexible rectangular floor plan with retractable seating to accommodate configurations for basketball, boxing, concerts and exhibitions. Facilities included backstage dressing rooms used by ensembles from the Ballets Russes-associated tours, rehearsal spaces for the West Australian Opera, and corporate hospitality suites utilised during sporting fixtures sanctioned by organisations such as the Australian Boxing Federation and the National Basketball League (Australia). Technical infrastructure supported touring productions by companies like Cirque du Soleil and visiting orchestras from institutions such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with rigging points and acoustic treatments added during upgrades in the 1980s.

Events and performances

Across its operational life the venue presented an eclectic programme: international pop and rock acts on national tours; televised events produced in collaboration with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and commercial networks; sporting contests for the Perth Wildcats and boxing events featuring contenders promoted by national promoters; theatrical productions involving the Hole in the Wall Theatre collective and state drama companies; and civic ceremonies linked to the Western Australian Day calendar. High-profile concerts included performances by artists who also toured to venues in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, while the centre also hosted touring Broadway-style musicals promoted by firms such as Graham/Chandler Presents. Conferences and trade exhibitions organised by bodies like the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia further diversified usage.

Cultural impact and reception

The venue occupied a prominent place in Perth’s cultural memory, frequently cited in retrospectives by local media outlets including The West Australian and community broadcasters such as RTRFM. It provided a platform for interstate and international exposure for Western Australian artists affiliated with institutions like the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the Australian Institute of Music. Critics and commentators debated its acoustic limitations alongside praise for its role in attracting major touring productions to the state, with coverage appearing in arts journals and city planning reviews that referenced comparisons with the facilities at the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Arts Centre.

Redevelopment and demolition

By the late 1990s and early 2000s the venue faced competition from newer facilities and pressures from urban redevelopment initiatives championed by the Government of Western Australia and private developers such as Multiplex and Lendlease. Proposals to replace the site with mixed-use development, including a major cinema complex operated by chains like Hoyts and residential towers, culminated in the venue’s closure in 2002. Demolition works commenced in stages from 2012 into 2013, coordinated with infrastructure projects related to the expansion of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct and the redevelopment of the adjacent Northbridge area. The site’s transformation became part of broader debates about heritage preservation versus central business district renewal promoted by entities including the Perth Waterfront Authority.

Notable incidents and controversies

Several incidents and controversies marked the venue’s history: disputes over crowd control and safety at high-attendance concerts prompted inquiries involving the Western Australia Police Force and local licensing authorities; legal action by contractors and suppliers reflected broader commercial tensions during late-stage operations; and public debate arose over the loss of an iconic civic entertainment space when demolition plans were announced, with advocacy from heritage groups such as the National Trust of Australia (WA) and cultural commentators in The Australian. High-profile event cancellations and promoter disputes occasionally made national headlines, involving entities like the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission in consumer complaints related to ticketing and refunds.

Category:Buildings and structures in Perth, Western Australia Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Australia